You are the assistant manager of a small community clinic. It's a busy Monday morning, two of your staff called in sick: the clinic manager and a clerk. A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) auditor walks up to the front desk. He provides his credentials and informs you he is there to inspect your medical records. You immediately feel nervous, as you realize there are several potential issues the auditor can notice. For example, you've been wanting to purchase computer monitor screens that provide security so patient information is not viewable from side angles. With a tight budget, this was put on the back burner. Additionally, you just noticed one of your staff who is out sick left three unprocessed patient checkout sheets sitting on her desk chair, which apparently have been there since Friday.

Explain your next steps, addressing the following points:

• Can you ask the auditor to wait while you verify his credentials? If so, explain how you can verify.
• Should you explain why you don't have the computer monitor screens?
• Explain how you should handle the checkout sheets situation. Remember, it's a busy and understaffed day.