The unpredictable nature of JCAHO's tracer process is a challenge for even the most experienced survey coordinator. Under the tracer process, surveyors will select active patients at random, retracing and reviewing every step of their care from one department to the next. But every patient is unique. Every circumstance is unusual. Every area of care is different. How can you possibly prepare your entire facility to be ready for JCAHO surveyors wherever and whenever they decide to launch a tracer? Tracer Methodology, Second Edition takes the mystery out of the method. Now available in a completely updated and expanded second edition, Tracer Methodology takes you step-by-step through tracer prep.

Missi Halvorsen, RN, BSN, is the senior consultant for accreditation for Baptist Health, a four-hospital healthcare system that services the needs of a five-county region in northeast Florida. Her responsibilities include JCAHO prep for adult and pediatric inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory, behavioral health, and home care services. Ms. Halvorsen has been a nurse for nearly 20 years, with experience in critical care, home care, quality, and performance improvement, and has been actively involved in JCAHO survey prep since 1998. Patricia Pejakovich, RN, BSN, MPA, CPHQ, is a consultant for The Greeley Company, specializing in quality and performance improvement, accreditation, utilization management, credentialing, clinical pathway development, and data management and design. Ms. Pejakovich has more than 30 years' experience in nursing and healthcare, and for more than 20 years has specialized in quality and performance improvement.

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