NAHQ CPHQ Practice Exam

The primary reason healthcare organizations use benchmarking is to

1. Comply with accreditation standards

2. Decrease risk to the organization

3. Improve performance

4. Provide risk adjustment

The correct answer is: Comply with accreditation standards

Healthcare organizations utilize benchmarking primarily to comply with accreditation standards. By comparing their performance metrics against industry standards or best practices, organizations can identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes to meet the criteria set by accrediting bodies. This proactive approach helps ensure that the organization is providing high-quality care and adhering to established regulations, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients. While decreasing risk, improving performance, and providing risk adjustment are all important aspects of healthcare quality management, the main purpose of benchmarking in this context is to meet accreditation standards.