NAHQ CPHQ Practice Exam

A performance improvement team aims to reduce the rate of post-surgical infection rates in a small rural acute care facility. Which of the following should the team use as a reference?

1. National benchmark post-surgical infection rates based on the most recent research

2. Post-surgical infection rates among individual surgeons

3. Post-surgical infection rates in similar facilities

4. Postoperative antibiotic use among the surgeons

The correct answer is: National benchmark post-surgical infection rates based on the most recent research

The performance improvement team should use national benchmark post-surgical infection rates as a reference because they provide the most up-to-date and relevant information on infection rates, whereas post-surgical infection rates among individual surgeons or in similar facilities may not accurately reflect the current standards of care. Additionally, looking at postoperative antibiotic use among surgeons may only provide a partial perspective on infection rates and may not address other factors that contribute to infection rates in the facility. Therefore, national benchmark rates are the most comprehensive and reliable reference for the team to use in their improvement efforts.