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For Immediate Release:
Aug. 13, 2026
Media Contact:
Lisa Cox
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Media Inquiry Form
JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- From August 9–15, 2026, Missouri joins the nation in celebrating National Health Facility Surveyors Week, recognizing the vital contributions of healthcare surveyors who help ensure the safety and quality of care delivered across our state. In Missouri, surveyors play a key role in evaluating hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, rural health centers and other care settings—protecting the wellbeing of over six million Missourians.
Health facility surveyors ensure facilities comply with stringent federal and state regulations, including standards overseen by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Their work identifies risks, supports quality improvement and strengthens trust in the care Missourians receive.
“Healthcare surveyors work tirelessly, every day, to improve quality of care in healthcare settings through consistent oversight and enforcement of state and federal regulations,” said Tracy Niekamp, who leads long-term care regulatory operations for DHSS and serves as the acting president of the Association of Health Facility Survey Agencies. “Surveyors’ jobs are important, and they never stop – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they are ensuring those who are experiencing healthcare during some of the most vulnerable times of their life receive quality care with safety and dignity. What an awesome responsibility.”
In Missouri, surveyors support care across diverse communities—from large metropolitan hospitals to small rural clinics and long-term care facilities serving older adults. Their evaluations strengthen accountability, protect patient safety and support continuous quality improvement statewide.
Key facts about health facility surveyors:
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Surveyors conduct regular inspections to ensure healthcare facilities comply with standards set by CMS and DHSS.
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They identify issues early, helping Missouri facilities improve care before problems grow.
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Surveyors support emergency preparedness, patient safety practices and adherence to evolving regulations that impact Missouri families.
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Their work safeguards some of the state’s most vulnerable residents, including older adults, individuals with disabilities and those receiving care in rural and underserved areas.
National Health Facility Surveyors Week provides an opportunity to highlight and express gratitude for the dedication of health facility surveyors. The week also aims to raise awareness of their essential role in patient safety and high-quality healthcare.
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