NAHQ CPHQ Practice Exam

An emergency department tracks wait times from patient arrival to physician assessment. Data are reported using a run chart. Which of the following demonstrates a true statistical increase in treatment delays?

1. 6 consecutive ascending data points

2. 7 consecutive descending data points

3. a zigzag pattern of 10 data points

4. data points close to the mean line

The correct answer is: 6 consecutive ascending data points

In a run chart, observing 6 consecutive ascending data points suggests a true statistical increase in treatment delays. This pattern indicates a consistent trend of increasing wait times, which can be a cause for concern and may warrant further investigation and intervention to address the delays effectively. The other options do not specifically indicate a clear increase in treatment delays like the consecutive ascending data points do.