Oklahoma Nursing Home Annual State Survey Preparation Process

Of course the best practice is to stay ready at all times to hear someone say, “State just walked in!”

We all know, best practice seldom lives in reality.
In fact, things like the sudden staff turnovers, and public health emergencies like Covid-19 seem to laugh at your best laid plans and best practices.

Even so, no matter how ready you think you are, your pulse starts to race and your breathing quickens.

You can feel your adrenaline pumping through your veins.

You take a deep breath. You put a smile on your face and you welcome the team leader and the other team members.

As the state team settles in, you send quick texts to your own team and your family telling them, “State’s here, so it’s going to be a long and late day today.”

Sound familiar?

Here’s 10 things to help.

How to prepare for a successful annual state survey. (Ahead of time)

1. Create a survey readiness book. Keep it updated every Monday.
2. Audit your books, frequently.
3. Know what’s in or not in the medical records documentation. (All of it!)
4. Audit your employee files.
5. Audit your kitchen
6. Audit your supplies
7. Audit your incident and state reportable book.
8. Audit everything (Study the details!)
9. Know your residents (And their families)
10. Do Mock Surveys often.