You probably heard about a mock survey if you are preparing for a behavioral health accreditation, with Joint Commission, Council on Accreditation (COA) or CARF. The purpose of a mock survey is to prepare you for the actual survey when the accreditation agency arrives. But is it a necessary part of your accreditation preparation?
A mock survey is as it sounds, a simulated assessment and appraisal of your agency’s readiness for accreditation. This mock survey is not as extensive as the two-day or three-day survey, but thorough enough for the agency to know if they are ready. A consultant arrives at your agency or conducts the mock survey virtually. They may take one day to direct it. The usual agenda for a one-day mock survey is to meet with leaders and staff, review clinical and administrative documents, and then tour the facility. Once the mock survey is completed, the consultant will submit a report on their findings and suggestions to prepare for the real thing.
Within a mock survey, the consultant will look at three key areas:
1. Documentation- the agency’s policies and procedures that confirm the accreditation agency’s standards should be clear, legible, and approved by the agency’s leaders. Also, other documents related to plans (strategic, quality, risk management), personnel files, and financial reports must be ready.
2. Analysis – any agency can conduct its operations regularly. But accreditation organizations want to know that a system exists to review the operations, analyze them for weaknesses, and take action to improve them. Critical incidents, emergency drills, and annual plans are some of the areas a surveyor will look at. This is the area where most organizations fail to pass accreditation standards. But a short, one-page summary of these events with suggestions for the future can be sufficient for passage.
3. Training- accreditation agencies want to know that staff are regularly trained on operational and clinical procedures. Especially in high-risk environments where clients may have suicidal or homicidal thoughts or potential aggressive behaviors, frequent training must be held, documented, and retraining conducted for employees who are not performing properly.
So, is a mock survey necessary?
The pros of a mock survey are that it gives the agency a “drill” to prepare before the actual survey. If any deficiencies are possible, the mock survey will find them. Then the agency can correct them before the true surveyors arrive. It is a way to be ahead of the game instead of worrying what they surveyors will do, creating less stress and worry for the agency. A mock survey is good for the agency who is new to accreditation or one that had difficulties in the past.
The cons of a mock survey is that it may be unnecessary for a seasoned agency with one or more surveys under their belt. They’re in the “been there, done that” mode and know what to expect. Unless they are adding programs or made significant changes and need to prepare for them.
A mock survey can reduce the stress level and pressure for an agency and prepare them for a better outcome for accreditation.
Praxes Behavioral Health provides consulting and training for accreditation with the Joint Commission, Council on Accreditation (COA) or CARF. For more information, feel free to contact us.
Got questions? We've got answers.
PRAXES is a nationwide behavioral health software, consulting, and training company. No one in the behavioral health industry has a better reputation, and if you give us the chance, we’ll show you why! At PRAXES, our services improve the efficiency and structure of behavioral health agencies serving children and families nationwide. PRAXES brings over 45 years of administrative and clinical expertise. With more than 100 client companies nationwide, we offer the expertise to advance the quality of behavioral health services. We accomplish these goals through our new clinical decision software, our training of best practices, and helping companies meet regulatory standards. At PRAXES, we believe in being creative and fostering new ways to serve children and their families. Our vision is to empower the families our agencies serve with skills that not only improve their functioning, but help them to thrive in their everyday lives. When you give us the chance, you’ll be connected directly to our friendly staff, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry. So, don’t wait, call now!
Dan Thorne has unique perspectives on the field of mental health. As a clinician, he has had over 40 years of experience working with clients in the Southern California area. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Irvine, he worked with children in the Orange County Juvenile Hall. Here he honed his earliest techniques on at-risk children. After that, he obtained his Master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton.
In the 1990’s, Dan turned his attention to the clinical and administrative side of behavioral health organizations. For three years, he was the Assistant Administrator of Starting Point, a chemical dependency facility in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2001, he took an opportunity to be the Director of Harbor View Community Services Center in Long Beach. When he arrived, the Center had only 80 clients and 13 staff. When he left, there were over 400 clients and 75 staff. Dan created several programs through their contract with the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health and Child and Family Services. Under his guidance, Harbor View became one of the leading providers of children’s services in Los Angeles County.
While improving the results of the client’s parents at the Center, Dan reflected on his experiences as a parent. His children themselves had special needs such as mental and intellectual challenges, and Dan knew the toll it takes on the parent. In order to help the child, the parent has to be healthy. From this concept, he created his parenting program. After years of refining it, teaching it to his staff at the Center, and then taking the results and comments from these efforts, he became the developer of the current PRAXES program. It is a culmination of Dan’s personal trials and tribulations as a parent along with empirical results and research of over 40 parenting programs.
Our vision at PRAXES is to advance the strength of parents and caregivers of children with special needs (mental health, intellectual, or physical) through education, support, and empowerment. Thus, they can live healthy and functional lives while caring for the child.
Apogee is a clinical decision software designed to help behavioral health practitioners with their treatment and patient engagement. It provides evidence-based and research-based components. Not only do they consist of elements from such practices as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Functional Behavior Analysis, but also the Intensive Models for Parents, Youth, and Children.
PRAXES has over 30 years of accreditation experience. We know what it takes to get your organization accredited. Whether it’s Joint Commission, CARF, or COA, our team can provide an evaluation of your current status and review the standards which need improvements. We will assist you with the policies, documentation, and training required to be accredited.
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