Diben yr archwiliadau dirybudd oedd rhoi sicrwydd i'r cyhoedd nad oedd y diffygion y tynnwyd sylw iddynt yn adroddiad Ymddiried mewn Gofal i'w gweld mewn ysbytai cyffredinol dosbarth ledled Cymru.  Roeddent yn canolbwyntio ar bedwar maes yng ngofal cleifion hŷn, sef:
The spot checks were designed to reassure the public that the failings highlighted in the Trusted to Care report were not evident in district general hospitals across Wales. They focused on four areas in the care of elderly patients: