Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

What is an example of a process measure regarding personal protective equipment usage?

1. The number of personal protective equipment purchased

2. The percentage of staff correctly using personal protective equipment

3. The number of reported staff exposures to tuberculosis

4. Percentage of staff with positive TB skin tests

The correct answer is: The percentage of staff correctly using personal protective equipment

The selection of the percentage of staff correctly using personal protective equipment as a process measure is accurate because process measures evaluate how well a given process is being executed. They focus on the actions taken to ensure safety and efficacy in healthcare settings. In the context of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, this specific option assesses the adherence of staff to established protocols for wearing and using PPE appropriately. This can include factors such as donning and doffing techniques, the correct type of PPE for specific tasks, and whether PPE is used consistently according to guidelines. A higher percentage indicates that the staff is proficiently following best practices, which is essential for preventing healthcare-associated infections and ensuring patient safety. Other options, while relevant in the overall scope of PPE usage and infection control, do not fit the definition of a process measure as closely. For instance, the number of PPE purchased reflects resource allocation rather than effectiveness in usage, the number of reported staff exposures concerns outcomes, and the percentage of staff with positive TB skin tests relates to the results of exposure rather than the adherence to safe practices. Therefore, tracking the percentage of staff correctly using PPE provides direct insight into the effectiveness of training and protocols in place.