Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

What is the primary goal of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005?

1. To enhance the quality of medical equipment

2. To report events and decrease medical errors

3. To eliminate insurance fraud in healthcare

4. To improve healthcare administration

The correct answer is: To report events and decrease medical errors

The primary goal of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 focuses on the enhancement of patient safety and the reduction of medical errors. By establishing a framework for reporting and analyzing adverse events and near-misses, the Act encourages healthcare providers to share information about patient safety incidents. This collaboration fosters a culture of transparency and learning, which is critical in developing strategies to prevent future errors and improve the overall quality of care within the healthcare system. This initiative is crucial because it recognizes that understanding the causes of medical errors is essential for implementing effective safety measures. By promoting voluntary reporting and protecting the confidentiality of such reports, the Act aims to create an environment where healthcare professionals can learn without fear of punitive consequences, ultimately leading to safer patient care.