A violation is often a result of what type of investigation?

A violation is often the result of a provider survey or complaint investigation because these investigations are specifically designed to assess compliance with regulations and standards governing care services. During these investigations, complaints from patients, family members, or staff may trigger a review of the facilities and practices in place at a provider's location. This thorough examination can uncover instances where the provider has failed to meet required standards or regulations, ultimately leading to the identification of violations.

In contrast, random sampling involves selecting a subset of data or cases without a specific reason tied to compliance issues, and while it can be informative, it doesn't typically aim to probe for violations directly. Quality assurance checks are generally proactive and focused on maintaining and improving service quality rather than identifying violations after they have occurred. Patient reviews, although valuable for feedback and insights, are subjective opinions that might not formally initiate an investigation into potential violations unless they lead to a complaint. Hence, the nature and purpose of provider surveys or complaint investigations make them the most relevant context in identifying violations.