Question

How frequently should a compliance audit of a healthcare organization be completed? Who should conduct the audits?

Answer 1

Compliance audit

A compliance audit is an audit which is independently conducted by the organization itself. It is done to ensure that the organization is following the rules, regulations, laws and the guidelines set forth by the government or not.

How frequently it should be completed

There is no hard and fast rule as to how often the compliance audit be conducted. It depends on the organization that if it is able to conduct the audit and feels the requirement for the same.

Compliance audit can be conducted either on quarterly basis or after every six months. The auditor however needs to give the audit report to the organization and highlight the deficiencies if any.

Who should conduct such audits?

Compliance audits can be conducted:

• Either by the internal auditors, who are the employees of the organization. In case of health organization one senior auditor, one senior nurse auditor and other auditors.
• Or by the externally appointed auditors, or auditors appointed by the government. The external auditors can be supported by a separate compliance department set by the organization. The compliance department will be headed by the compliance officer with other knowledgeable staff members.