Have questions and don’t have time to reach out to us? Check out these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Patton Healthcare Consulting. You will find information about our surveys, scheduling, services, resources, billing and invoicing, and more!
Click the question below to find your answer!
What is your typical lead time to schedule a mock survey?
Ideally, we recommend the organization reach out 6 months or more before they would like their mock survey. We can also try to accommodate shorter timeframes, but finding surveyors precisely the week you want is easier with more notice.
Do you provide phone or online support before and after the survey?
Absolutely. We will work with you to identify priority issues and get time allocated on the agenda to address those issues. We will also help if you are preparing and have an interpretive question about implementation or the requirements of a particular standard. After the survey we will have a detailed report identifying each standard and element of performance that was scored deficient, and we detail the observation that led to the finding, along with a recommendation on how to fix it. If there are questions about any finding or if you need guidance on corrective action we will assist with that additional detail.
Can you survey CMS Conditions of Participation (CoPs)?
Yes, we are a CMS approved consulting firm and our survey tool and standards database includes CMS regulatory reference points. Our surveyors are very familiar with CMS requirements and we have served as an onsite consultant for CMS Systems Improvement Agreements.
Do you provide EOC/LSC or EC/LS/EM mock surveys?
Yes, we have expert Life Safety Code surveyors on our team available to tour your building or complete a document review. We also coordinate the schedule with the clinical team to integrate visit findings into one comprehensive survey report.
How do I schedule a mock survey?
You may use any of these options:
- Call 1-888-PHC-INC1 (888-742-4621)
- Email ExpertAdvice@PattonHC.com
- Fill out a Contact Form
- Or, if you know any of our principals from past communication feel free to reach directly to one of them. You can find our contact information here .
How long after the survey is the report sent?
We have a long standing performance expectation to deliver reports to clients within 5 business days following the conclusion of the consult. Clients appreciate the fast turnaround, and our consultants find it easier to complete their reports prior to starting a new assignment.
What format is the report sent?
We prepare both a PDF and an Excel file that details every standard scored, the relevant findings and recommendations, and are color coded and prioritized by the risk severity score. Many clients prefer to share the PDF with senior leadership and use the Excel file as a workplan. The Excel report has additional columns that allow you to assign corrective actions to different managers in their organization and to track their progress.
Do you send resources or have templates available?
We have many tracer tools that our consultants have developed over the years to help them focus on different survey activities. They will share tools when preparation gaps are identified to bring the organization into compliance. Clients that sign up for our subscription program called Continuous Accreditation Support, or CAS, have access to a password protected portion of our website that contains over 100+ such tools to assist them in future preparation.
Can we customize the agenda?
Absolutely. We will draft an agenda that includes typical time allocations based upon the scope of our visit. But, if you know you are weak or strong in certain areas we will adjust those time allocations from the standard template.
How long is a mock survey?
We will work with you to evaluate the services, sizes of programs and survey risk levels to suggest a surveyor specialties and survey duration. The mock survey is similar to, but generally shorter than a full accreditation survey. Focus visits tend to be shorter in duration.
Do you ever provide remote offsite support?
Yes, for many years we have provided phone and email support, and like many others, in 2020 we became very proficient in using Zoom and Microsoft Teams for conducting entire remote surveys.
Do you have a subscription product?
Yes, our Continuous Accreditation Support (CAS) Program. The CAS program provides periodic consultation, addressing a small portion of the standards and survey process and is tailored to each organization’s needs. Many organizations like this smaller footprint, using a more focused approach instead of a full mock survey once-every-three-yeas, as it allows them to focus their corrective actions in a more meaningful way than a full report with 60-100 findings. These clients also like that every 3 or 4 months they know there will be another visit, helping them and their department heads to stay ready. In addition to the periodic consultation, we also assist CAS clients with routine standards questions, questions about the implications of program changes, acquisitions, mergers and new information from industry leading accreditors and decision-makers.
Will we need a signed BAA?
Yes, a BAA is recommended as our consultant surveyors will be reviewing medical records while on site at your organization. PHC consultants are healthcare professionals and very familiar with HIPAA requirements. We do not take any identifiable medical record information with us for report preparation, nor are any remote consultations recorded by PHC using Zoom or Teams.
How long have you been in business?
Since 2006! Fun fact, many of our original clients remain with us to today.
What are your payment terms?
We invoice after the survey is completed. Payment is requested in 30 days.
How do I subscribe to your newsletter, the Patton Post?
Is there a charge for the newsletter?
No, there is no charge for receiving the newsletter. It is completely free! Our goal with our Patton Post is to keep our readers informed; the more people that are informed with important industry updates, our community’s patients will receive a higher quality of service and ultimately the safer their care will be.
If you have a question that is not answered above, please Contact Us.