This past week, I sat in on two very powerful presentation sessions at the Clinical Engineering Association of Illinois conference. The sessions presented by the Joint Commission (JC) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) were independent of each other but one common theme that I and several other attendees absorbed was the position around consistency of processes but in our opinion and inconsistency in surveyors or inspectors when it comes to the program review “next” visit cycle.
In the presentations the question was asked, “Could it be possible to have the same review team from the accrediting agency for at least two years in a row?” The answer, NO! Why not was the immediate thought that ran through all of the attendee’s minds I’m sure. I know it ran through mine. A similar answer from each of the presenter’s substantiating this question was their business’ have grown in size, inspectors and surveyors schedules or positions change and that it is these variables which impact the same accrediting review teams abilities to repeat in visiting that site the next year or review cycle. I say, “Hog Wash!” The consistency of inconsistency is more times the weakest link in any chain and when the goal is to improve processes the need for understanding and enabling “consistency” is super critical to success!
We see in many of the state and federal government agencies a better consistency of repeat team or single surveyor/inspector when it comes to either accrediting visit or inspections as these individuals are generally assigned a territory of responsibility. Would it be too much in expecting the same review team maybe two years in row from such entities as JC or DNV? Now that I have said that let me also add the disclaimer there can be some variables that can happen (i.e. vacation, illness or maybe left the company) but for the most part it in many opinions this is an improvement that needs to occur.
The “drum beat” of this blog is to make awareness of an industry wide feeling and perception that surveyors and inspectors from two of the main accrediting groups do present a variable that many times leaves the hospital or health care provider a lasting question mark in their mind as to “what will the next review team think is important?” Again, the consistency of inconsistency usually does not drive excellence!
