NAHQ CPHQ Practice Exam

Which of the following best demonstrates use of the Plan-Do-Check-Act performance improvement model?

1. Collect baseline data, form a committee to develop the plan, validate audit data, and formalize the change

2. Identify a problem, implement change, educate staff about the change, and rewrite policies and procedures to augment the change

3. Prioritize opportunities for improvement, pilot the improvement, compare pre- and post-implementation data, and rollout to the entire organization

4. Review current practice, form a multidisciplinary committee, schedule a meeting to develop a plan, and determine actions to be taken

The correct answer is: Collect baseline data, form a committee to develop the plan, validate audit data, and formalize the change

The correct answer is A because it aligns closely with the steps in the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) performance improvement model. In this option, the process begins with collecting baseline data, which corresponds to the planning phase of PDCA. Forming a committee to develop the plan is part of the doing phase. Validating audit data fits into the checking phase where the results are assessed. Finally, formalizing the change represents the acting phase of PDCA, where the change is implemented formally. Options B, C, and D have elements that are not fully aligned with the PDCA model. For example, option B does not clearly outline a step for checking the effectiveness of the change, option C misses a formal check step between pilot testing and full implementation, and option D lacks a distinct step for acting on the plan developed.