Online CPHQ Questions Video

According to the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), peer review is a quality control measure for medical research and practice, in which professionals review each other’s work to ensure that it is accurate, relevant, and significant12.

The overall purpose of peer review is to improve the quality of care by enhancing the scientific validity, transparency, and integrity of published research, as well as the clinical performance, safety, and outcomes of healthcare providers1234.

Among the four options given, the best answer is C. Improve the quality of care, because this is the ultimate goal and benefit of peer review, regardless of the specific methods, metrics, or settings involved1234.

The other options are less accurate because:

A. Evaluate process improvement initiatives is a possible outcome of peer review, but not the desired one. Peer review can help assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of process improvement initiatives, but the aim is not to evaluate them for their own sake, but to improve the quality of care for patients125.

B. Compare provider performance is a possible outcome of peer review, but not the desired one. Peer review can help compare provider performance against established standards, benchmarks, or best practices, but the aim is not to rank or judge them, but to identify areas of strength and weakness, and to provide feedback and support for improvement126.

D. Limit privileges of at-risk providers is a possible outcome of peer review, but not the desired one. Peer review can help identify and address at-risk providers who may pose a threat to patient safety or quality of care, but the aim is not to punish or exclude them, but to protect patients and to help providers remediate their performance or behavior127. References: 1: [Peer review: What is it and why do we do it?] 2: [Peer Review Matters: Research Quality and the Public Trust] 3: [Peer review of quality of care: methods and metrics] 4: [What is the purpose of peer review in health care?] 5: [Utilization of Improvement Methodologies by Healthcare Quality Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic] 6: [Shaping the Future of the Healthcare Quality Profession] 7: [Understanding the Evolving Landscape of Healthcare Quality] : : : : :

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A barcode system for medication administration is the best technology to enhance a patient safety program. Barcode systems ensure that the correct medication is given to the correct patient at the correct time by requiring the scanning of both the patient’s ID band and the medication. This reduces the risk of medication errors, which are a significant patient safety concern. The system serves as a critical check in the medication administration process, significantly enhancing safety.

Online evidence-based medicine guidelines (B): These are valuable for clinical decision-making but do not directly address patient safety in the medication administration process.

Computers on wheels at the patients' bedsides (C): While these improve access to patient information, they are not specifically focused on preventing medication errors.

Digital medication reference materials (D): These provide information but do not directly reduce the risk of errors in medication administration.

References

NAHQ Body of Knowledge: Medication Safety and Technology in Healthcare

NAHQ CPHQ Exam Preparation Materials: Enhancing Patient Safety with Technology

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