Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

During a safety assessment, identifying the characteristics of high-reliability organizations focuses on what key aspect?

1. Standardization of protocols.

2. Emphasizing individual performance.

3. Minimizing communication between teams.

4. Discouraging adaptation to changing environments.

The correct answer is: Standardization of protocols.

Identifying the characteristics of high-reliability organizations (HROs) emphasizes standardization of protocols as a key aspect. HROs operate in complex, high-stakes environments where the cost of errors can be significant, such as in healthcare or aviation. These organizations prioritize the development and adherence to standardized protocols, which play a critical role in ensuring consistent and reliable performance across all levels of the organization. Standardization helps to minimize variations in processes that could lead to errors, thus enhancing safety and reliability. By creating clear, evidence-based protocols, HROs reduce uncertainty among team members regarding procedures, which helps in maintaining high levels of safety and quality in their operations. This consistent approach enables teams to work more effectively and efficiently, as everyone is following the same guidelines and expectations. In contrast to this focus on standardization, high-reliability organizations do not emphasize individual performance in isolation. While individual expertise is valued, HROs recognize that safety is a collective responsibility that relies on coordinated teamwork and communication. Moreover, effective communication is crucial in HROs, as it facilitates information sharing and collaborative problem-solving. Discouraging adaptation to changing environments would be contrary to HRO principles, as flexibility and the ability to respond to unexpected events are vital