Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

Which tool is best for enhancing a culture of reporting by visualizing defects?

1. Failure modes and effects analysis.

2. Patient safety leadership WalkRounds.

3. Root cause analysis.

4. Learning boards.

The correct answer is: Learning boards.

Learning boards are an effective tool for enhancing a culture of reporting by visualizing defects within a healthcare setting. They serve as a visual means to display information regarding safety issues, incidents, and performance metrics in a way that is readily accessible to all staff. This increased visibility encourages open communication about safety concerns and defects, facilitating a more proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential risks. By showcasing data related to patient safety, learning boards promote transparency and create an environment where staff feel comfortable reporting defects without fear of retribution. This openness is crucial in building a culture that prioritizes continuous learning and improvement. Moreover, learning boards can foster collaborative discussions about safety, motivate staff to engage in problem-solving, and reinforce the importance of reporting as an integral part of patient safety initiatives. In contrast, other tools mentioned, while valuable in their own right, do not primarily focus on visualizing defects or enhancing reporting culture in the same way. Failure modes and effects analysis, for example, is a methodology used to identify potential failures before they occur, rather than encouraging a culture of reporting through visualization. Patient safety leadership WalkRounds are primarily focused on leadership engagement and communication, while root cause analysis is a retrospective process aimed at understanding the underlying causes of incidents rather than proactively enhancing reporting culture