Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

Which graph is best for showing a division's safety reporting rate adjusted for patient volumes?

1. Bar Graph

2. Control Chart

3. Run Chart

4. Pareto Chart

The correct answer is: Pareto Chart

The best choice for illustrating a division's safety reporting rate adjusted for patient volumes is a Pareto chart. This type of graph effectively displays categorical data and highlights the most significant factors in a dataset, allowing for a clear visual representation of performance. In the context of safety reporting rates, a Pareto chart can be utilized to show the frequency of incidents relative to patient volumes, clearly indicating which areas require the most attention to improve overall safety. The chart not only helps in identifying the primary contributors to safety concerns but also demonstrates the relationship between reporting rates and patient volumes in a way that is easy to interpret. Using a Pareto chart, stakeholders can focus on the key safety issues that contribute most heavily to problems, thereby facilitating informed decision-making and prioritization of interventions. This strategic approach aligns with the principles of patient safety improvement, as it helps teams direct resources and efforts toward the most impactful areas, potentially leading to more effective solutions.