Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

What data display would best inform a hospital board about its performance in CLABSIs compared to others?

1. A table showing the number of CLABSI infections by hospital and quarter

2. A written report on CLABSI prevention protocols of each regional hospital

3. Control charts of overall infection rates for each hospital

4. A table indicating CLABSI infection rates relative to a national benchmark

The correct answer is: A table indicating CLABSI infection rates relative to a national benchmark

The most effective data display for informing a hospital board about its performance in Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) in comparison to others is a table indicating CLABSI infection rates relative to a national benchmark. This approach provides a clear benchmark against which the board can measure its performance, allowing for a straightforward understanding of how the hospital stands in relation to standards of care and performance set at a national level. By presenting data in this way, the hospital board can quickly grasp whether their rates are above, below, or at the benchmark level, facilitating a more informed discussion about quality of care, resource allocation, and areas that may need improvement. It also fosters accountability and drives the commitment to meet or exceed those benchmark performance levels, which can lead to enhanced patient safety and care outcomes. Control charts of overall infection rates and tables showing the number of infections by hospital might provide some useful information, but they do not directly correlate the hospital’s performance to a defined standard, which is essential for context in quality improvement initiatives. A written report on prevention protocols might inform the board about practices but does not quantitatively indicate performance or outcomes, making it less impactful for evaluating how well the hospital is doing compared to others.