Environment of Care Survey Simulation

To help prepare your hospital for The Joint Commission’s Shared Visions – New Pathways® survey technique, often referred to as “tracer methodology,” our consultants provide practical exercises and rehearsals for physicians and nurses, technical staff, and administrative leaders. We simulate the tracer method and play the role of Joint Commission surveyor(s) as we ask various caregivers and other personnel questions about Environment of Care (EC) issues.

Service Options

EC Survey Simulation: Leader Training Program
Survey simulations are a great way to prepare your team for an upcoming survey, or to test your survey preparedness in new areas. This multi-level training program teaches you to perform your own high-quality survey simulations within the Environment of Care.  The program includes:

• A reference booklet with tips from our experts on what works and what doesn’t.
• Three complete simulation packages including “teacher’s notes” on the following topics:
  • Pandemic Flu or Epidemic Emergency
  • Construction Management
  • Hazardous Materials Management
• Complete set of simulation packages listed below, and access to updates as available.
• A PowerPoint presentation to introduce the process to your survey groups.
• A 2-hour live webinar with one of our experts during which you’ll receive one-on-one training.
• Up to two hours of additional one-on-one help to answer questions and review/critique your first survey simulations.
• Report template for summarizing survey results to staff.  

In-Person EC Interview Session and Site Survey
Includes a half-day (4 hours) site visit to conduct an EC interview session and a site survey of representative areas (e.g., select clinical areas, hazardous waste rooms, emergency generator room) of your facility.  Topics  and exercises can be customized for your needs and EC organizational structure.  EH&E will prepare a written report summarizing potential areas of vulnerability and recommendations for improving readiness and compliance with EC requirements based on the EC interview session and site survey.

Two Day Onsite EC Readiness Assessment
This is a more comprehensive review to assess your compliance status with The Joint Commission EC requirements. Includes two days onsite to conduct EC interview sessions, a site survey of representative areas (e.g., select clinical areas, medical waste storage areas, clinical laboratories, emergency generator room), and a review of representative documentation (e.g., EC management plans, most recent PPR, Statement of Conditions). Topics and exercises can be customized for your needs and EC organizational structure.  Following the site assessment, EH&E will prepare a detailed report identifying areas of vulnerability and recommendations for improvement.

EC Tracer Interview Topics

Topics and exercises for the EC interview sessions can be customized for your needs and EC organizational structure. Common tracer topics include: