CPHQ Exam Dumps - NAHQ CPHQ Certification Questions and Answers

A barcode system for medication administration is the best technology to enhance a patient safety program. Barcode systems ensure that the correct medication is given to the correct patient at the correct time by requiring the scanning of both the patient’s ID band and the medication. This reduces the risk of medication errors, which are a significant patient safety concern. The system serves as a critical check in the medication administration process, significantly enhancing safety.

Online evidence-based medicine guidelines (B): These are valuable for clinical decision-making but do not directly address patient safety in the medication administration process.

Computers on wheels at the patients' bedsides (C): While these improve access to patient information, they are not specifically focused on preventing medication errors.

Digital medication reference materials (D): These provide information but do not directly reduce the risk of errors in medication administration.

References

NAHQ Body of Knowledge: Medication Safety and Technology in Healthcare

NAHQ CPHQ Exam Preparation Materials: Enhancing Patient Safety with Technology

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A scatter diagram is a graphical tool that displays the relationship between two variables by plotting pairs of data points on a coordinate plane. It can help identify possible correlations, trends, outliers, and patterns in the data.

A Pareto chart is a type of bar chart that shows the frequency or impact of different factors or causes in descending order, along with a cumulative line that indicates the percentage of the total. It can help prioritize the most significant issues or opportunities for improvement.

A fishbone diagram is a visual tool that helps identify the root causes of a problem or effect by organizing possible factors into categories, such as people, process, environment, etc. It can help facilitate brainstorming and root cause analysis.

A histogram is a type of bar chart that shows the distribution of a continuous variable by grouping the data into bins of equal width and displaying the frequency or count of each bin. It can help describe the shape, center, spread, and outliers of the data.

In this case, the long-term care facility wants to analyze the relationship between two variables: the number of medications and the number of falls. Therefore, a scatter diagram is the most appropriate tool to help them understand the data. A scatter diagram can show if there is a positive, negative, or no correlation between the two variables, and how strong or weak the correlation is. It can also reveal any outliers or clusters of data points that may indicate other factors affecting the relationship.

A Pareto chart, a fishbone diagram, and a histogram are not suitable tools for this purpose, as they do not show the relationship between two variables. A Pareto chart can show the relative importance of different factors or causes, but not how they are related to each other. A fishbone diagram can help identify the possible causes of a problem or effect, but not how they are quantitatively related to each other. A histogram can show the distribution of a single variable, but not how it is influenced by another variable.

References:

NAHQ Learning Lab: The Role of the Healthcare Quality Professional in Population Health Management, Module 3: Data Collection and Analysis, Slide 17: Scatter Diagram

NAHQ HQ Principles, Module 2: Data Management, Lesson 2.3: Data Analysis Tools, Topic 2.3.4: Scatter Diagram

NAHQ Journal for Healthcare Quality, Volume 42, Issue 5, September/October 2020, Article: Utilization of Improvement Methodologies by Healthcare Quality Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Page 284: Figure 2. Scatterplot of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by State as of June 30, 2020

The question is about the first step a healthcare quality professional should take when there is a perceived high risk of aggressive patient behavior towards unit staff.

Identify the Risk: The first step in any risk assessment process is to identify the risk1. In this case, the risk identified is the high risk of aggressive patient behavior towards unit staff.

Analyze the Risk: Once the risk has been identified, the next step is to analyze the risk1. This involves understanding the nature of the risk, its potential impact, and the factors contributing to its occurrence.

Organize a Staff Focus Group: Given the options provided, the best first step would be to organize a staff focus group to explore perceptions (Option A)1. This allows for a deeper understanding of the staff’s perception of the risk, which is crucial in formulating an effective response strategy.

Discuss with Administration: While discussing with administration the need for increased staff (Option B) could be a potential step, it would not be the first step. It’s important to fully understand the risk and its implications before making staffing decisions.

Continue to Survey Staff: Continuing to survey staff to assess perceptions of risk (Option C) could be a part of the ongoing risk management process1, but it would not be the first step after the risk has been identified.

Review the Facility’s Restraint Policy: Reviewing the facility’s restraint policy (Option D) could be a step taken later in the process, especially if the focus group or surveys indicate that the current policy is inadequate or not being properly implemented.

In conclusion, organizing a staff focus group to explore perceptions is the most appropriate first step after identifying a high risk of aggressive patient behavior towards unit staff. This aligns with the principles of risk assessment which involve identifying, analyzing, and controlling hazards and risks present in a situation1.

Candidate B is the most effective choice to serve as a process champion. This candidate has a high level of interest, is respected as an opinion leader, and has some involvement with the current process. Although their authority to mobilize resources is low, their influence and interest in the project make them well-suited to champion the process. A process champion needs to have respect and credibility within the organization, which Candidate B has, along with sufficient involvement to understand the challenges and drive change.

Candidate A (A): While Candidate A has high involvement and interest, they lack authority and are not a respected opinion leader, which are critical qualities for a process champion.

Candidate C (C): Although Candidate C has high authority, their low involvement, interest, and moderate respectability make them less effective as a champion.

Candidate D (D): Candidate D has some involvement and respectability but lacks interest and authority, making them less suitable for the role.

References

NAHQ Body of Knowledge: Selecting Process Champions for Quality Improvement

NAHQ CPHQ Exam Preparation Materials: Characteristics of Effective Process Champions

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