Research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 8

Research Paper Example According to the JCAHO, the tracer methodology is a process of evaluating the patient status, whereby surveyors select patients and use their records in order to assess the organizations compliance to the set standards (Joint Commission retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/about/JointCommissionFaqs.aspx). The surveyors are able to trace the kind of the care process that the patient received by interviewing the staff in areas whereby the patient was attended. The surveyor then follows up the treatment process and determines whether the health institution has complied with the Joint commission standards. The major intent of the follow-up is to ensure that all health organizations are delivering high quality and safe healthcare. The process serves the purpose of monitoring the patient attendance and assessing the services of the health care organization Apart from gauging the health care center, the surveyors also identify points of potential weaknesses in terms of the organizations performance. After identifying the areas of weakness, the surveyors may educate the staff in the organization and share with them the strategies used by similar healthcare organization who have achieved better standards. Tracer activities help in identifying compliance issues that are crucial in determining the organizations compliance to the joint commission. On average, a three-day hospital survey is expected to complete 11 tracers using three surveyors (Joint Commission retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/about/JointCommissionFaqs.aspx). The system requires that the patients selected as tracers are those who have undergone multiple and complex services so that most aspects of the healthcare are evaluated. It is mandatory that the surveyor request the permission of the patient before starting the process. Upon completion