What happens on the day of an NHRA survey or inspection?

An NHRA accreditation visit opens with a meeting and a short presentation from the facility, then a tour, interviews with leadership and staff and visits to each area, and ends with a closing meeting on the findings. A licensing inspection runs the same way, with an opening conference, evidence gathered through documents, observation and interviews, and a closing conference that sets the priorities.

Who comes

The survey team usually has a lead surveyor, an NHRA coordinator who runs the timetable and compiles the report, and expert surveyors chosen for the facility's size and services, from doctors and dentists to nurses, engineers and pharmacists. NHRA confirms the dates and the names in writing before the visit, and the facility can raise a conflict of interest with any surveyor.¹

The survey day, step by step

1. Off-site review. The team reads the documents submitted electronically before it arrives.
2. Introductory meeting. Leadership and staff meet the team, and the facility gives a brief presentation.
3. Tour. The team walks the facility and every service area in scope.
4. Interviews and area visits. Surveyors interview leaders and staff and visit each area against the standards.
5. Closing meeting. The team presents a summary of its findings and recommendations to leadership and staff.
6. Same-day documents. Documents that already existed and were missed can be emailed by 5 pm that day.
7. Evaluation form. The facility rates the survey visit, the surveyors and the coordination.

The National Accreditation Committee reviews the report and recommends the decision, NHRA's CEO approves it, and the facility receives the award letter, the report and the certificate within 8 to 12 weeks of the survey.¹

1. Date ______ Lead surveyor ______ NHRA coordinator ______
2. Survey room ______ Internet and parking ______
3. Opening presentation by ______
4. Interview list and times ______
5. Area guides ______
6. Document runner for same-day submissions ______

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A licensing inspection

Inspectors arrange the date with the facility's CEO, and leadership must be available, with a meeting room set aside. A facility that does not prepare aborts the inspection, which delays the renewal and brings the penalty for an expired licence.² In an unannounced inspection, staff are interviewed away from patients, a physician is interviewed only after the consultation, and a physician inspector reads medical records where needed.²

The 2015 decree gives NHRA's inspectors the right to enter the facility and to see and copy its files, records and documents, and obstructing them is an offence.³

Questions

Do we know the surveyors in advance?

Yes, NHRA confirms the dates and the names of the survey team in writing before the visit.

Can inspectors read patient records?

Yes, the 2015 decree gives NHRA's inspectors access to files and records, and a physician inspector reads medical records where needed.

When do we get the decision?

Within 8 to 12 weeks of the survey, with the award letter, the report and the certificate.

Sources

1. 1National Health Regulatory Authority, 2026NHRA Accreditation Policy V3.0, issued 7 April 2026Read source
2. 2National Health Regulatory Authority, 2017Inspection Policy, Health Care Facilities, February 2017Read source
3. 3National Health Regulatory Authority, 2015Legislative Decree No. (21) of 2015 on Private Health Facilities, English textRead source

Written by the wai team from National Health Regulatory Authority guidance, checked on 16 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. NHRA does not endorse wai or any software.