TRACER METHODOLOGY 1
WGU AFT2 – Task 3 |Passed on First Attempt
|Latest Update with Complete Solution
Tracer Methodology
AFT2 – Task 3
Abdul Wali Shahzad
Western Governors University
Dr. Austin Arenz
June 16, 2025
Background
A tracer is an evaluation method and an effective way to assess a healthcare
organization's performance of care, treatment, and services provided as viewed or experienced by
the frontline staff and the patients. A key area of the Joint Commission's on-site survey process is
tracer methodology. This method uses information from an organization to follow and assess a
patient's care, treatment, or services. Tracers allow auditors to identify performance issues in one
or more steps of the process or interfaces between processes. In this method, a patient or process
is followed from beginning to endpoint, identifying performance gaps and pinpointing
opportunities for improvement (Kamel, 2020).
Nightingale Community Hospital is applying an “individual patient tracer” method to
evaluate and assess its systems of providing care and services and compliance with the Joint
, TRACER METHODOLOGY 2
Commission standards. For this purpose, the Nightingale Hospital selected one of the high-risk
patients whose diagnosis, age, and type of services will enable the auditing team to evaluate the
organization's processes and practices.
A1. Case Review
For this tracer methodology, Nightingale Hospital selected patient #453355, a 67-year-old
female who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy (uterus removal) procedure five weeks ago.
The procedure converted to open due to excessive bleeding, and hemostasis was not possible under
the laparoscopic method. The patient was doing well until she developed a fever and pus drainage
from her wound and was readmitted seven days ago for a possible postoperative infection. She
was put on antibiotics and other supportive treatment, which did not improve her overall condition.
Five days ago, the surgeon decided to take the patient to the operating room and drain the abscess
that had formed from her previous surgery. A central line was also applied because the patient was
supposed to receive long-term antibiotics. The patient's condition is improving, and she will be
discharged home with health support and antibiotics therapy. The patient has a very supportive
spouse.
The tracer methodology team used the Hospital's "Surgical patient tracer questionnaire” to
gather the necessary information. The main focus areas were assessment and care, communication,
infection control, medication management, rights and ethics, quality improvement, and patient
safety. The team interviewed the nurses on the floor, preop, operating room, and post-anesthesia
care unit (PACU). There were multiple deficiencies and violations made evident and identified
during the process:
1. The most notable/major violation:
The tracer patient admission assessment or initial nursing assessment was not completed
within the first 24 hours of admission. It was completed >72 hours later.
According to the Joint Commission standard PC.01.02.03 EP1 and RC.01.03.01 EP2, If the
WGU AFT2 – Task 3 |Passed on First Attempt
|Latest Update with Complete Solution
Tracer Methodology
AFT2 – Task 3
Abdul Wali Shahzad
Western Governors University
Dr. Austin Arenz
June 16, 2025
Background
A tracer is an evaluation method and an effective way to assess a healthcare
organization's performance of care, treatment, and services provided as viewed or experienced by
the frontline staff and the patients. A key area of the Joint Commission's on-site survey process is
tracer methodology. This method uses information from an organization to follow and assess a
patient's care, treatment, or services. Tracers allow auditors to identify performance issues in one
or more steps of the process or interfaces between processes. In this method, a patient or process
is followed from beginning to endpoint, identifying performance gaps and pinpointing
opportunities for improvement (Kamel, 2020).
Nightingale Community Hospital is applying an “individual patient tracer” method to
evaluate and assess its systems of providing care and services and compliance with the Joint
, TRACER METHODOLOGY 2
Commission standards. For this purpose, the Nightingale Hospital selected one of the high-risk
patients whose diagnosis, age, and type of services will enable the auditing team to evaluate the
organization's processes and practices.
A1. Case Review
For this tracer methodology, Nightingale Hospital selected patient #453355, a 67-year-old
female who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy (uterus removal) procedure five weeks ago.
The procedure converted to open due to excessive bleeding, and hemostasis was not possible under
the laparoscopic method. The patient was doing well until she developed a fever and pus drainage
from her wound and was readmitted seven days ago for a possible postoperative infection. She
was put on antibiotics and other supportive treatment, which did not improve her overall condition.
Five days ago, the surgeon decided to take the patient to the operating room and drain the abscess
that had formed from her previous surgery. A central line was also applied because the patient was
supposed to receive long-term antibiotics. The patient's condition is improving, and she will be
discharged home with health support and antibiotics therapy. The patient has a very supportive
spouse.
The tracer methodology team used the Hospital's "Surgical patient tracer questionnaire” to
gather the necessary information. The main focus areas were assessment and care, communication,
infection control, medication management, rights and ethics, quality improvement, and patient
safety. The team interviewed the nurses on the floor, preop, operating room, and post-anesthesia
care unit (PACU). There were multiple deficiencies and violations made evident and identified
during the process:
1. The most notable/major violation:
The tracer patient admission assessment or initial nursing assessment was not completed
within the first 24 hours of admission. It was completed >72 hours later.
According to the Joint Commission standard PC.01.02.03 EP1 and RC.01.03.01 EP2, If the
