Preparing for an accreditation survey requires ensuring all staff understand and comply with standards, which is foundational for readiness.
Option A (Teaching tools and methods of performance improvement): PI tools are part of ongoing quality efforts, not the initial survey preparation step.
Option B (Physician credentialing): Credentialing is a specific compliance area, not the broadest initial step.
Option C (Clinical quality improvement activities): QI activities support compliance but are ongoing, not the initial focus.
Option D (Multidisciplinary standards education): This is the correct answer. The NAHQ CPHQ study guide states, “The initial step in accreditation survey preparation is multidisciplinary education on standards to ensure all staff understand requirements” (Domain 4). This builds a foundation for compliance.
CPHQ Objective Reference: Domain 4: Performance and Process Improvement, Objective 4.7, “Prepare for accreditation surveys,” emphasizes standards education. The NAHQ study guide notes, “Educating staff on standards is the first step in survey readiness” (Domain 4).
Rationale: Standards education ensures organization-wide readiness, aligning with CPHQ’s accreditation principles.
[Reference: NAHQ CPHQ Study Guide, Domain 4: Performance and Process Improvement, Objective 4.7., , , , ]
