Preparation for Exit Conference (Excluding SNFs and NFs)

2722 - Preparation for Exit Conference (Excluding SNFs and NFs) (Rev. 1, 05-21-04) Surveyors hold a pre-exit survey team conference at the conclusion of the survey prior to the exit conference and come to an agreed judgment on the severity of any deficiencies and whether their number, character, and combination interfere with the delivery of adequate care, and create hazards to patients’ health and safety. Deficiencies found in more than one CoP or Standard may be cumulative and interrelated and result in general or across-the-board inadequacies in patient care as to constitute hazards to patients. This would be the basis for a finding of noncompliance. Surveyors use the following criteria, in part, to make a judgment as to the significance of a deficiency: • A deficiency exists if a particular requirement is not in compliance; and • A deficiency is significant if it affects the ability of the institution to provide adequate care, or which adversely affects the health and safety of patients. A Standard or an individual requirement (within a CoP) not in compliance may or may not be a significant deficiency.