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Tip: Tools to maximize the effectiveness of your audit

Healthcare Auditing Weekly, July 8, 2008

1. Focus groups can be an effective way of collecting data. This process could be as simple as gathering and asking questions. Focus groups are also useful for observing group dynamics as a part of the data collection process.
2. Interviews with individuals can be useful if you are concerned about employees altering responses because of a “group think” or other group pressure.
3. Questionnaires can overcome interview bias and the time factor. However, the questionnaire must be carefully constructed and tested to determine whether it asks questions that will elicit accurate results.
4. Observation is another common tool employed to collect data, and it is often combined with an interview or simulation. You can also use observation on its own as a tool to examine actual practice.
5. Case studies, or scenarios, are similar to simulations but are typically descriptions of actual events. You can use case studies in focus groups, interviews, or questionnaires to create discussion, whereas questions or polling often allow only for limited responses.
6. Record Reviews may be reviews of anything from logs to audit trails to acknowledge or request forms. Perform a structured review of records to ensure consistency. It may also be appropriate to “blind” the records so as to avoid bias and protect health information.

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