READER QUESTIONS: Create Your Own Audit Volume

Question: Our hospital hired a consultant firm to review all the departments and the operations. They recommended ED quarterly audits, but didn't recommend a set volume. Are there any industry standards, or are we free to set our own guidelines?


Connecticut Subscriber

Answer: There are no set industry standards, so you should set your own guidelines as you see fit.

Tip: Consider using the OIG RAT-STATs random number generator software (Windows version, available on the Office of Inspector General's [OIG] website) to select the random records. Generally, consultants - especially in large accounting firms - have a good idea regarding the number of records that represent a "statistically valid sample."  Once you are at or near that number, auditing more records will just increase your accuracy and decrease your margin for error.