The office manager of a primary care office reviewed provider performance and noted that one...

Within the Performance and Process Improvement domain, the NAHQ CPHQ exam stresses the importance of data validation and trend analysis before taking corrective or disciplinary action. A single month of performance data is insufficient to determine whether an observed gap represents a true performance issue, random variation, or an isolated anomaly.

The NAHQ competency framework emphasizes that quality professionals must use longitudinal data to identify patterns and establish baseline performance. Reviewing three to four months of data allows the manager to assess consistency, variation, and potential contributing factors before intervening. This approach supports fair evaluation and avoids premature conclusions.

Talking privately with the provider (Option A) or discussing findings publicly (Option D) without adequate data may undermine trust and credibility. Encouraging medical assistants to complete screenings (Option C) bypasses accountability and does not address whether the provider issue is systemic or temporary. The correct next step is to analyze additional data over time, ensuring that any subsequent action is evidence-based and aligned with improvement principles. This methodical approach reflects NAHQ expectations and is commonly tested on the CPHQ exam.