Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

Which of the following best demonstrates transparency within a healthcare organization?

1. Limited access to performance data.

2. Open discussions about mistakes among staff.

3. Full compliance with regulatory reports only.

4. Confidential handling of quality measures.

The correct answer is: Open discussions about mistakes among staff.

Open discussions about mistakes among staff best demonstrate transparency within a healthcare organization. Transparency in healthcare involves being open and honest about both successes and failures to foster an environment of trust and continuous improvement. Engaging in conversations about mistakes allows staff to learn from errors and develop strategies for preventing future incidents. It cultivates a culture where everyone feels safe to report issues without fear of retribution, ultimately leading to better patient safety outcomes. Limited access to performance data, full compliance with regulatory reports only, and confidential handling of quality measures all imply some level of withholding information or lack of openness. Limited access can prevent stakeholders from understanding the organization's true performance, while merely complying with regulatory requirements does not necessarily encourage active discussion or teaching moments. Confidential handling of quality measures might protect sensitive information, but it also discourages the kind of open dialogue necessary for genuine transparency and collective learning among staff.