Both the federal government as well as the states mandate annual surveys. Nursing facilities participating in the rules and regulations of Medicaid (Title XIX) and Medicare (Title XVIII) must conduct surveys as a requirement. Federal Registrar Part 483 outlined and defined the basis and scope of these for participating nursing facilities. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accreditation is a separate private, nonprofit entity providing accreditation services to a majority of healthcare provider types. Facilities pay a fee to have JCAHO survey and accreditation. Interviews with residents and families, the documentation in charts, and care plans form the basis of the process. Proactively, social workers can maintain their notes and care plans, provide staff in-services on key topics so that they are ready for these annual surveys. It should be remembered that surveys are not used as “teaching” the staff. All staff should be well versed on the rules and regulations regarding care.