Data display tools visualize performance trends to support quality improvement. The tool best suited for showing changes over time, such as monthly fall rates, must depict sequential data points.
Option A (Run chart): This is the correct answer. The NAHQ CPHQ study guide states, “Run charts are used to display data over time, showing trends, patterns, or shifts in performance” (Domain 2). For monthly fall rates, a run chart plots rates against time, highlighting changes and trends effectively.
Option B (Scatter diagram): Scatter diagrams show relationships between two variables (e.g., fall rates vs. staffing levels), not time-based trends.
Option C (Fishbone diagram): Fishbone diagrams (cause-and-effect) identify root causes, not display temporal data.
Option D (Pareto chart): Pareto charts prioritize issues by frequency or impact, not suitable for showing monthly trends.
CPHQ Objective Reference: Domain 2: Health Data Analytics, Objective 2.3, “Select appropriate data display tools for quality improvement,” identifies run charts as ideal for temporal data analysis. The NAHQ study guide emphasizes their simplicity and effectiveness in tracking performance metrics like fall rates.
Rationale: Run charts are specifically designed to visualize changes over time, making them the best tool for demonstrating monthly fall rate trends, as required for quality monitoring and reporting.
[Reference: NAHQ CPHQ Study Guide, Domain 2: Health Data Analytics, Objective 2.3., , , , , ]
