Health Data Analytics

Which statement best describes the purpose of bundled payments? a. this initiative was established to encourage payers to employ a set of core measures to utilize during reporting b. The primary goal is to produce more effective processes, policies, and procedures that reduce variation and significantly lower the chances of negative outcomes c. This initiative depicts the active spread of those new practices to a target audience, utilizing planned methodologies d. This initiative can best be defined as measurable data that will further indicate if the goals and objectives of the project are attainable

A. Bundled payments were established to encourage payers to employ a set of core measures to utilize during reporting. Choice B is incorrect because it describes the purpose of Lean Six Sigma. Choice C is incorrect because it describes dissemination. Choice D describes the key performance indicators, not bundled payments, so it is incorrect.

What is the difference between common cause variation and special cause variation? a. Common cause variation is the process by which numerous small general factors result in a specific effect on a process; special cause variation refers to the specific rare factors that can influence a process b. Common cause variation is the process of comparing equivalent processes within the same organization; special cause variation refers to comparing similar processes to a competitor within the same industry c. Common cause variation can be defined as the passive and unplanned spread of new practices; special cause variation is defined as the active spread of those new practices to target audience utilizing planned methodologies d. Common cause variation is the process by which a single payment is made to cover the costs of the treatment provided for any given treatment; special cause variation refers to measurable data that will further indicate if the goals and objectives are attainable.

A. Common cause variation is the process by which numerous small general factors result in a specific effect on a process; special cause variation refers to the specific rare factors that can influence a process. Both types of cause variation represent events that contribute to waste and errors.

Which statistical quality tool would be the best choice to depict the center, spread, and shape of data? a. Histograms b. Run chart c. Control charts d. Fishbone diagram

A. Histograms are the best format to depict the center, spread, and shape of aggregated data. Run and control charts focus on trends of process performance, while control charts additionally show control limits to visualize how close data is to the average or being an outlier. Fishbone diagrams instead are used to illustrate root causes of an outcome.

Which quality control tool is best suited to use when investigating short-term process improvement activities? a. Run charts b. T-tests c. Control charts d. Pareto charts

a. Run charts are best suited to investigate short-term process improvement activities. Like control charts, they are line graphs that indicate trends and patterns of specific processes, and how well that process is performing.

Which is the best description for the acronym SIPOC? a. Supplier, inputs, process, outputs, customer b. Supporter, inputs, process, outcomes, consumer c. Supplier, improvement, product, outputs, consumer d. Supporters, inputs, products, outcomes, consumer

a. Supplier, inputs, process, outputs, customers

The IHI Simple Data Collection Plan begins data collection planning by first doing which of the following? a. Asking why these data are being collected b. Deciding the tools to use c. Deciding on team members d. Setting goals

a. The IHI Simple data Collection Plan begins data collection planning by first asking why data are being collected. Additional questions to consider include things like what type of data will be necessary, what data analysis tools will be used to display that obtained data, and where and how the data can be obtained.

In order to secure electronic files and reports, the clinician must do which of the following? a. use computer screen locks and shortened time-out locks b. Use black-out screens whenever the computer is left unattended c. Limit access to computers d. All of the above

d. in order to secure electronic files and reports, the clinician must use computer screen locks an shortened time-out locks, use black-out screens whenever the computer is left unattended, and limit access to computers.

What is the term for the tendency of a statistic to overestimate of underestimate a parameter? a. central tendency b. Bias c. Smoothing d. Common cause variation

B. Bias is the tendency of a statistic to overestimate or underestimate a parameter. It can occur from sampling or measurement errors, or by using unrepresentative samples. If the statistic is unbiased, the average of all statistics from all samples from all samples will average the true population parameter.

What is the best method of noting quantitative or qualitative data? a. Scorecards b. Checks sheets c. Fishbone diagrams d. KPI

B. Check sheets are best for notating data for collection when data can be controlled by the same person at the same time.

What is the industry-standard methodology for measuring and controlling quality during the manufacturing process in real time with pre-determined control limits called? a. Lean manufacturing b. Statistical Process Control (SPC) c. Variability Index d. Quality Control (QC)

B. Statistical Process Control is the industry-standard methodology for measuring and controlling quality during the manufacturing process in real time with pre-determined control limits.

Which of the following best describes the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)? a. the continual and collaborative discipline of measuring and comparing the results of key work processes. b. A group of performance standards that the majority of health plans adhered to in an effort to standardize the overall quality of care delivered to patients c. The written agreement that acts as measurable data to indicate if the goals and objectives of the project are attainable d. The primary goal is to produce more effective processes, policies, and procedures that reduce variation and significantly lower the chances of negative outcomes

B. The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is a group of performance standards that the majority of health plans adhere to in an effort to standardize the overall quality of care delivered to patients. The other choices are incorrect; Choice A describes benchmarking, Choice C describes key performance indicators, and Choice D describes the main goal of Lean Six Sigma.

What is the best description of critical to quality measures? a. This quality control tool helps to emphasize the frequency of the most impactful problems in order to allocate the appropriate amount of resources to rectify the problem b. Critical to quality measures graphically represent the variation of values within a group; this format depicts the center, spread, and shape of the data c. Critical to quality measures can be defined as the specific measurable facets of a process whose performance standards must be met to satisfy the customer d. This tool helps the CPHQ professional to determine the purpose, roles, scope, and budget of the investigation

C. Critical to quality (CTQ) measures can be defined as the specific measurable facets of a process whose performance standards must be met to satisfy the customer. It is necessary to know CTQs in order to best identify problems.

What are the two steps where data mistakes happen most often? a. Entering and collating b. Saving and editing c. Downloading and importing d. All of the above

C. Downloading and importing are the two areas where most data mistakes occur. These steps should always be double checked to reduce errors.

What are the four types of benchmarking? a. Investigate, internal, external, and generic b. Internal, cooperative, external, and competitive c. internal, competitive, functional, and generic d. intensive, competitive, functional, and generic

C. The four types of benchmarking are internal, competitive, functional, and generic. They allow the organization to measure and compare key work processes.

What is the best description of positive correlation depicted in a scattergram? a. one variable decreases while another increases; the points on the scatter plot will be close together and trend up to the left in the form of a line b. The correlation would yield a value of zero, with the data on the scatter plot appearing to have no clear shape or direction within the middle of the axes c. One variable increases while another increases; the points on the scatter plot will be close together and trend up to the right in the form of a line d. One variable increases while another increases, up to a certain point; the data points will resemble a checkmark.

C. a positive correlation occurs when one variable increases while another increases ; the points on the scatterplot will be close together and trend up to the right in the form of a line. The other choices represent different types of correlations. A negative correlation would show one variable decreasing while the other increases and trend up to the left. No correlation in a scatterplot would present data not fitting close to any line, while a curvilinear correlation corresponds to data points that fit best to a non-linear shape, such as a checkmark or parabola.

Which of the following is true regarding informed consent forms? a. They must be completed at admission b. They must be signed, dated, and witnessed c. They must be maintained under lock and key d. All of the above

D. All of the choices are accurate statements regarding informed consent. Informed consent forms must be completed at admission. Additionally, they must be signed, dated, and witnessed, as well as maintained under lock and key (in the case of hard copies).

Which of the following is true about non-probability sampling? a. It is based on human service b. It uses volunteer samples c. It contains sources of bias d. All of the above

D. Non-probability sampling should be avoided because it involves volunteer samples and haphazard (convenience) samples, which are based on human choice rather than random selection. Statistical theory cannot explain how the samples might behave and potential sources of bias are rampant.

Outcome measures tell the organization how the system impacts which of the following? a. The organization goals and values b. HEDIS measures c. Accreditation measures d. Values of patients and others

D. Outcome measures tell the organization how the system impacts the values of patients and others. They reflect the impact of the health care service or intervention on the health status of patients served. While they may seem to represent the gold standard in measuring quality, an outcome is the result of numerous factors, many beyond providers' control.

What is the best description of statistical process control? a. The continual and collaborative discipline of measuring and comparing the results of key work processes b. The process by which numerous small general factors result in a specific effect on a process c. The specific rare factors that can influence a process d. A strategy for instituting ongoing process improvement

D. Statistical process control is a strategy for instituting ongoing process improvement. It is the industry-standard methodology for measuring and controlling quality during the manufacturing process in real time with pre-determined control limits.

What is the best description of brainstorming? a. Brainstorming is defined as the continual and collaborative discipline of measuring and comparing the results of key work processes b. Brainstorming can be referred to as a written account that compares and measures the performance of specific individuals against the projected goals of the organization c. Brainstorming can best be defined as the rate at which newly disseminated ideas or innovations are adopted and implemented d. Brainstorming can be referred to as a way of using a selected group of individuals to rapidly produce, clarify, and evaluate ideas or problems

D. brainstorming can be referred to as a way of using a selected group of individuals to rapidly produce, clarify, and evaluate ideas or problems. Staff must be encouraged to preview the preliminary data, and leadership must allow for an open-ended and honest critique of what does and does not work.

According to the Lean Six Sigma framework, which two quality tools are typically utilized in the analyze phrase? a. Run charts and Pareto charts b. Process capability assessments and critical to quality trees c. Project charter and process mapping d. Brainstorming and benchmarking

a. The run and Pareto charts are most frequently used in the analyze stage. Choice B is incorrect because the terms describe measurements used to determine a process's success and are not a key component of the DMAIC analyze phase. Choice C is incorrect because a project charter is used to outline the stages of a project, while process mapping involves diagramming the steps of a process. The tools in Choice D are used to improve processes through new ideas.

What is the best description of a correlation? a. A correlation is a dependent relationship between two quantitative continuous variables and can either be positive or negative. b. A correlation is a way of using a selected group of individuals to rapidly produce, clarify, and evaluate ideas or problems c. A correlation is an independent relationship between two quantitative continuous variables and can either be positive or negative d. A correlation is defined as the continual and collaborative discipline of measuring and comparing the results of key work processes.

a. a correlation is a dependent relationship between two quantitative continuous variables and can either be positive or negative. Choice B is incorrect because it describes brainstorming. Choice C is incorrect because a correlation is found between the dependent, not independent variables. Choice D describes benchmarking, so it is also incorrect.

Which statement best describes the purpose of the project charter? a. The primary goal is to determine the ability of a specific process to deliver value as required by the customer. b. This written agreement usually includes the primary reason for the project, the goal and scope of the project, the expected budget, and the roles of each team member. c. The written agreement that acts as measurable data to indicate if the goals and objectives of the project are attainable. d. The primary goal is to produce more effective processes, policies, and procedures that reduce variation and significantly lower the chances of negative outcomes.

b. The project charter is a written agreement that usually includes that primary reason for the project, the goal and scope of the project, and the expected budget and roles of each member of the team

What does a trend analysis help the team do best? a. Decide which trend to follow b. Understand historical data about a process c. Identify the mean, median, and mode d. Prove a hypothesis

b. a trend analysis helps the team understand historical data about a process. Choice A is incorrect because the analysis observes past trends to understand why they occurred. Choice C is wrong because identifying the mean, median, and mode of a data set is only one aspect of identifying trends. While trend analysis may be useful in disproving a hypothesis, one cannot prove a hypothesis true, so Choice D is incorrect.

What do process measure show? a. if the team met their goals b. how the steps in the system perform c. if the measures improved care d. All of the above

b. process measures show the steps in the system perform. They are used to indicate to consumers what healthcare provider will do to maintain or improve health.

What is the major difference between scorecards and dashboards? a. Scorecards involve comparing equivalent processes within the same organization; dashboards can be comparing similar processes to a competitor within the same industry. b. Scorecards are a single payment made to cover the costs of the treatment provided for any given treatment; dashboards are written agreements that act as measurable data to indicate if the goals and objectives of the project are attainable. c. Scorecards can be defined as a written account that compares and measures the performance of specific individuals against the projected goals of the organization; dashboards are quality measurement tools that actually allow the management team to compare and contrast different reports or access diverse datasets in one place. d. Scorecards can be defined as the passive and unplanned spread of new practices; dashboards are defined as the active spread of those new practices to a target audience utilizing planned methodologies.

c. Scorecards can be defined as a written account that compares and measures the performance of specific individuals against the projected goals of the organization; dashboards are quality measurement tools that actually allow the management team to compare and contrast different reports or access diverse datasets in one place. They visually present summaries, key trends, comparisons, and exceptions.

Which statement best describes the Lean Six Sigma approach to process improvement? a. The Lean Six Sigma approach can be defined as the continual and collaborative discipline of measuring and comparing the results of key work processes. b. A plan to eliminate or lower the likelihood of an error , or to make the occurrence of an error so obvious that any possibility of that error impacting the consumer is practically impossible. c. The primary goal is to produce more effective processes, policies, and procedures that reduce variation and significantly lower the chances of negative outcomes. d. A specific methodology that calculates the true costs of a potential solution compared to the actual benefits.

c. The primary goal of Lean Six Sigma is to produce more effective processes, policies, and procedures that reduce variation and significantly lower the chances of negative outcomes

What does the acronym DMAIC refer to in the Lean Six Sigma project management model? a. Describe, manage, accountability, interpret, and compare b. Define, manage, analyze, interpret, and control c. Describe, measure, analyze, improve, and compare d. Define, measure, analyze, improve, and control

d. DMAIC stands for define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. The DMAIC model helps improve existing processes and allows for the methodical development of an action plan to streamline and standardize laborious processes, reduce waste, and mitigate risks to the patient population in any healthcare setting.

What do control charts tell the team? a. the control limit of the process b. What processes are out of control c. If they met their goals d. how a process changes over time

d. control charts show a process changes over time. As line graphs, they clearly indicate trends and patterns of specific processes, and how well that process is performing.

Which of the following is true regarding data management? a. it is only done by IT personnel with education in data management b. It is always done on local servers within a hospital c. it is done via cloud based systems in a healthcare environment d. it involves acquiring, validating, storing, protecting, and processing data.

d. data management involves acquiring, validating, storing, protecting, and processing data. The other choices are incorrect because data management procedures are a responsibility of personnel at all levels, and are not restricted only to local servers or cloud services.