The concept of care quality that remains consistent across diverse patient characteristics is rooted in the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) six aims for healthcare improvement, as outlined in Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001).
Option A (Efficient): Efficient care minimizes waste, not addressing variation across demographics.
Option B (Effective): Effective care delivers evidence-based results, not specifically ensuring consistency across groups.
Option C (Equitable): This is the correct answer. The NAHQ CPHQ study guide states, “Equitable care, as defined by the IOM, ensures quality does not vary due to gender, ethnicity, geographic location, or socioeconomic status” (Domain 4). Equity is one of the six IOM aims, focusing on fairness in care delivery.
Option D (Evidence-based): Evidence-based care relies on scientific evidence, not directly addressing demographic disparities.
CPHQ Objective Reference: Domain 4: Performance and Process Improvement, Objective 4.1, “Apply quality principles to care delivery,” includes the IOM’s equitable care aim. The NAHQ study guide notes, “Equitable care ensures fairness across all patient populations” (Domain 4).
Rationale: Equitable care directly addresses consistent quality across diverse groups, aligning with CPHQ’s improvement principles and IOM standards.
[Reference: NAHQ CPHQ Study Guide, Domain 4: Performance and Process Improvement, Objective 4.1; IOM Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001)., , , ]
