Preparing for a Joint Commission Survey: An Innovative Approach to Learning

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Graduate nurses frequently express a lack of preparedness for accreditation site visits.
• Key areas of unpreparedness include fostering a safe, functional, and supportive patient care environment.
• This gap impacts the delivery of quality care, treatment, and services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the preparedness gap for accreditation site visits among senior BSN students.
• To enhance student understanding of Environment of Care standards and patient record auditing.
• To improve nursing students' confidence in their ability to contribute to quality and safety during accreditation.

Main Methods:

• A collaborative three-phase capstone course was developed by a university school of nursing and an academic health system's quality department.
• The course incorporated simulation training for all participating senior-level Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students.
• Students conducted Environment of Care rounds and patient care record audits within a hospital setting.

Main Results:

• Nineteen students participated in the capstone course.
• A total of 74 Environment of Care rounds were completed by students.
• Students performed 193 patient care record audits.
• Post-course, students reported increased knowledge and confidence regarding accreditation site visits.

Conclusions:

• The collaborative capstone course effectively improved senior BSN students' preparedness for accreditation site visits.
• Simulation and practical application through rounds and audits enhance nursing students' understanding of quality and safety standards.
• This educational model can be a valuable strategy for bridging the gap between academic preparation and clinical practice expectations in healthcare accreditation.