Audit Best Practices
10 Common Care Plan Audit Mistakes That Cost Care Homes
Published: 10 January 2025 | Reading time: 10 minutes
Care plan audits are essential for maintaining CQC compliance, but many care homes make the same mistakes repeatedly. Here are the top 10 errors we see - and how to avoid them.
1. Infrequent Auditing
The mistake: Only auditing care plans before a CQC inspection or after an incident.
The solution: Implement a rolling audit schedule. Aim to audit each care plan at least monthly, with more frequent reviews for complex needs.
2. Using Outdated Templates
The mistake: Auditing against old CQC standards or using templates that don't reflect current guidance.
The solution: Review and update your audit templates annually. Subscribe to CQC updates to stay informed of guidance changes.
3. Tick-Box Mentality
The mistake: Rushing through audits just to complete them, without meaningful analysis.
The solution: Quality over quantity. A thorough audit of fewer plans is more valuable than superficial reviews of many.
4. Ignoring Resident Voice
The mistake: Auditing paperwork without checking if it reflects actual resident preferences and experiences.
The solution: Include resident and family feedback in your audit process. Does the care plan truly represent the person?
5. Failing to Track Actions
The mistake: Identifying issues but not following up on corrective actions.
The solution: Create an action log with clear deadlines and accountability. Review progress at team meetings.
6. Single Auditor Blind Spots
The mistake: Having the same person audit the same care plans repeatedly.
The solution: Rotate auditors and consider peer audits. Fresh eyes catch different issues.
7. Missing Risk Assessment Updates
The mistake: Not checking that risk assessments are reviewed and updated when circumstances change.
The solution: Include risk assessment currency as a mandatory audit checkpoint. Set calendar reminders for reviews.
8. Poor Documentation of Audits
The mistake: Not keeping records of what was audited, findings, and actions taken.
The solution: Maintain comprehensive audit records. These demonstrate your commitment to quality when CQC visits.
9. Overlooking Mental Capacity
The mistake: Not verifying that capacity assessments and best interest decisions are properly documented.
The solution: Include MCA compliance as a specific section in every audit. Check that decisions are reviewed when capacity changes.
10. Not Celebrating Successes
The mistake: Only focusing on problems and missing opportunities to recognise excellent practice.
The solution: Include positive findings in your audit reports. Share good practice across the team.
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