A Quality Council oversees an organization’s quality improvement efforts, requiring a clear framework to guide its work effectively.
Option A (Standardized formats for reporting and minutes): Standardized formats aid documentation but are not essential for the council’s core function.
Option B (An annual meeting calendar with attendance expectations): Scheduling and attendance are logistical, not the foundation of effectiveness.
Option C (Written job descriptions for members of the group): Job descriptions clarify roles but are secondary to a strategic framework.
Option D (A defined quality improvement structure and plan): This is the correct answer. The NAHQ CPHQ study guide states, “A Quality Council requires a defined quality improvement structure and plan to guide its oversight, prioritize initiatives, and align with organizational goals” (Domain 3). This ensures focus and impact.
CPHQ Objective Reference: Domain 3: Organizational Leadership, Objective 3.1, “Establish governance structures for quality,” emphasizes a defined QI plan. The NAHQ study guide notes, “A clear QI structure is essential for a Quality Council to drive improvement” (Domain 3).
Rationale: A defined QI structure and plan provide direction, making it essential for the council’s effectiveness, as per CPHQ’s leadership principles.
[Reference: NAHQ CPHQ Study Guide, Domain 3: Organizational Leadership, Objective 3.1., , , , ]
