Quality Improvement Flashcards

A vascular access team notices a 20% increase in CLABSI rates over the past quarter. Which QI tool is MOST appropriate to identify root causes?

Answer: Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram

A fishbone diagram systematically identifies potential root causes across categories such as people, process, equipment, and environment.

When implementing a PDSA cycle for a new central line insertion bundle, which step involves analyzing whether the change led to improvement?

Answer: Study

The Study phase reviews collected data to determine if the intervention produced the intended improvement.

A hospital's CLABSI rate is 1.2 per 1,000 catheter-days. The national benchmark is 0.8. What is the primary purpose of benchmarking this metric?

Answer: To compare performance against a standard and identify improvement opportunities

Benchmarking compares an organization's performance to external standards to identify gaps and drive targeted improvement.

Which data display method is BEST for tracking CLABSI rates over 12 months to identify trends?

Answer: Run chart

A run chart plots data points over time and is ideal for detecting trends, shifts, or patterns in a process.

A QI team wants to prioritize which central line complications to address first. Which tool ranks issues by frequency to identify the 'vital few'?

Answer: Pareto chart

A Pareto chart uses the 80/20 principle to identify the few causes responsible for the majority of problems.

A nurse collects data on catheter dwell time to assess PICC removal compliance. This activity represents which phase of QI?

Answer: Measurement

Collecting and analyzing data about current performance is a core measurement activity in quality improvement.

Which organization publishes the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions used to standardize CLABSI surveillance?

Answer: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC's NHSN provides standardized definitions and protocols for HAI surveillance including CLABSI.