Quality Improvement & Safety Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real ANM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Quality Improvement & Safety Standards flashcards as text
Which of the following best describes a 'Never Event' as defined by the National Quality Forum (NQF)?
Answer: A serious, largely preventable patient safety event that should never occur
NQF defines 'Never Events' (Serious Reportable Events) as serious, largely preventable, and of concern to both the public and healthcare providers — such as wrong-site surgery.
An ANM is prioritizing QI projects using a Pareto chart. The chart shows that 3 out of 15 identified problems account for 78% of patient complaints. This illustrates which principle?
Answer: The 80/20 rule — a vital few causes drive the majority of effects
The Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, helping teams focus QI efforts on the highest-impact problems.
Under Six Sigma methodology, a process operating at 'Six Sigma' quality level produces how many defects per million opportunities (DPMO)?
Answer: 3.4 defects per million opportunities
Six Sigma quality is defined as no more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities, representing 99.99966% accuracy in process performance.
A surgical team uses a pre-operative safety checklist (WHO Surgical Safety Checklist). Which phase of the checklist occurs AFTER anesthesia induction but BEFORE surgical incision?
Answer: Time Out
The 'Time Out' is performed after anesthesia and before incision — the entire team pauses to confirm patient identity, procedure, site, and antibiotics.
A hospital's quality improvement committee wants to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Which bundle element is considered foundational to CLABSI prevention?
Answer: Maximal sterile barrier precautions during line insertion
Maximal sterile barrier precautions (cap, mask, sterile gown, gloves, and large sterile drape) during insertion are a core IHI CLABSI bundle element proven to reduce infection rates.
An ANM conducts a retrospective chart review of 50 patients and finds that 12 did not receive VTE prophylaxis within 24 hours of admission. This is best described as:
Answer: A process measure audit identifying a gap in care delivery
Reviewing adherence to a specific clinical process (VTE prophylaxis administration) constitutes a process measure audit that identifies deviations from standard care protocols.
Which regulatory body enforces the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which impacts quality standards for emergency department care?
Answer: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
EMTALA is a federal law enforced by CMS that requires hospitals to provide stabilizing treatment to anyone presenting to an emergency department regardless of their ability to pay.