The national benchmark for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) is 1.

The NAHQ CPHQ exam blueprint emphasizes that performance improvement goals should be realistic, evidence-based, and benchmark-informed, particularly at the start of an improvement initiative. When an organization’s performance is worse than the national benchmark, the initial goal should be to meet the benchmark, not exceed it prematurely.

Option B is correct because setting a goal of 1.00 aligns performance with the national standard and reflects a reasonable, achievable target that supports staff engagement and sustainability. This approach follows the CPHQ principle of incremental improvement.

Option A represents an arbitrary reduction that does not align with an external benchmark. Option C is overly aggressive and may discourage staff. Option D is unrealistic, as zero harm goals are aspirational but not appropriate as an initial measurable target.

The CPHQ framework stresses that early success builds momentum for continued improvement, making alignment with the national benchmark the best initial goal.