Corporate Compliance

Four commonly used audit tools

Healthcare Auditing Weekly, August 16, 2005

Last week, we covered steps to develop an audit plan for your organization. This week, we'll go over four other tools commonly used by auditors.

1. Focus groups use a group process to collect data. The process can range from simply asking questions to more formal methods of collecting data. Focus groups are useful for observing group dynamics.

    2. Interviews are one-on-one opportunities to collect information. If more than one person is conducting interviews, it's important that each facilitator is trained in the interview process. Interviewing is also time-consuming and should be reserved for special situations.

      3. Questionnaires can overcome interview bias and the time factor. However, the questionnaire must be carefully constructed and tested to determine whether it asks a question that will elicit accurate results.

        4. Observation is often combined with interviews or a simulated environment or can be used on its own to examine actual practice. When used as a specific audit tool, observations should be performed with a checklist to ensure consistency and provide a means for documentation.

          Look for next week's issue when we cover four more commonly used audit tools.

            The above tip is an excerpt from the book "Guide to HIPAA Auditing: Practical Tools and Tips to Ensure Compliance," copyright 2005 by HCPro, Inc. This is a step-by-step book and CD-ROM resource for auditing and monitoring your HIPAA compliance program. Click here for more information or to order your copy today.

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