Prepare to pass the CPHQ with quality practice written by a quality-measurement veteran

A hospital quality team uses a run chart to monitor central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates over 18 months. Which of the following findings on the run chart would most strongly indicate a non-random special cause improvement?

Tap an answer to reveal the correct answer, rationale and source.

• A. Six consecutive data points on the same side of the median
• B. A single data point below the lower control limit
• C. Random variation within established control limits
• D. Two data points outside two standard deviations

A nurse administers 10 mg of methotrexate IV daily for five consecutive days instead of the prescribed weekly oral dose. The patient develops temporary bone marrow suppression that resolves with leucovorin rescue and does not prolong the hospital stay. Under NCC MERP taxonomy, this event is classified as:

Tap an answer to reveal the correct answer, rationale and source.

• A. Category I — error contributed to patient death
• B. Category B — error occurred, no harm
• C. Category E — error occurred, temporary harm, intervention required
• D. Category D — error occurred, monitoring required, no harm

A quality analyst calculates a hospital's observed-to-expected (O/E) mortality ratio of 0.82. How should this be interpreted?

Tap an answer to reveal the correct answer, rationale and source.

• A. The hospital's mortality rate is 82% of the national average
• B. The hospital has 18% more deaths than expected for its patient mix
• C. The hospital has 18% fewer deaths than expected for its patient mix
• D. The hospital needs to improve data quality to reduce the ratio