Sep

09

Tip: Support your audit findings

By Compliance Monitor

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) will be searching for relevant information prudent to your hospital’s audit. This information is called evidence. To support your audit begin to collect four types of evidence before the OIG visits:

• Physical Evidence: Paraphernalia obtained through direct inspection of property, events, and people. (e.g., maps, photographs, illustrations, written summaries of observations, charts)
• Documentary Evidence: Created evidence including: spreadsheets, accounting records, contracts, invoices, letters, performance reports, and surveys.
• Testimonial Evidence: Information received through bias-free interviews and inquiries from individuals involved in the particular audit.
• Analytical Evidence: Collect analytical evidence through the verification of amassed information, facts, and data. Laws, legal and non-legal opinions, hospital standards, and past and present operations should all be compared to your analytical findings.

This week’s tip was adapted from The Healthcare Auditor’s Handbook, for more information about the book or to order your copy click here.