Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

When seeking to improve patient safety at transitions of care, what is a recommended organizational approach?

1. Prioritize cost efficiency.

2. Restructure design to support clinician workflow.

3. Promote workarounds to ensure timely patient discharge.

4. Deliver discharge instructions verbally to all patients.

The correct answer is: Restructure design to support clinician workflow.

Focusing on restructuring design to support clinician workflow is crucial when aiming to improve patient safety at transitions of care. A well-structured design can greatly enhance communication and collaboration among healthcare team members, which is essential during transitions when patients are moving from one care setting to another. By optimizing workflows, healthcare organizations can reduce the likelihood of errors and omissions that might occur during high-pressure transitions, thereby improving overall patient outcomes. This approach also emphasizes the importance of understanding the processes that clinicians go through and ensuring that systems are in place to facilitate their work. When workflows are well-aligned with the needs of clinicians, it not only helps in reducing redundancies but also allows for better information flow and availability of necessary resources, leading to safer transitions for patients. The other options do not adequately address the underlying challenges faced during transitions of care. For example, prioritizing cost efficiency may distract from the primary focus of patient safety. Similarly, promoting workarounds can lead to further complications and increase the risk of errors. Delivering discharge instructions only verbally may not provide sufficient information and support for patients, highlighting the importance of comprehensive communication strategies in the discharge process.