When a deficiency is noted during a survey, take immediate corrective action. For example, if a surveyor indicates that your policy on monitoring and treating pressure sores omits consideration of the resident s drug regimen, work with a multidisciplinary team to revise the policy immediately. Ask the surveyor if the revisions meet the standard. This demonstrates commitment to improving care and may forestall a deficiency citation. Surveyors are impressed with such efforts.
Excuses Remember that surveyors are in the driver s seat.
If you believe your drug utilization protocols have been unjustly challenged, don t argue with the surveyor. You ll be able to enhance your comments and defend your position when the formal report is received. Rebuttals are reviewed by a different set of surveyors. If a valid deficiency is noted, however, don t make excuses to try to justify it. Telling a surveyor that your utilization review budget was cut will not remove the deficiency, but only suggest a whole new set of issues for scrutiny.