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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Academic Testing
Exam Format
180 min
140
600
Professional
Registration
PSI Test Centers (300+ locations in US), Online Proctored, or online proctoring
English
Validity
2 years
Earn 30 continuing education (CE) credits during 2-year cycle; CE must relate to CPHQ content outline; Pay recertification fee
CPHQ Exam Topics and Domains
CPHQ is organized into 7 weighted domains. Expect to work with ACHC, AHRQ databases, AHRQ Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture, AHRQ resources, and more.
1
Quality Leadership and Integration
15.2%
Strategic Planning
Advise leadership on organizational improvement opportunitiesAssist with the development of action plans or projectsAssist with establishing prioritiesParticipate in activities that support the quality governance infrastructureAlign quality and safety activities with strategic goals
- Demonstrate ability to identify and communicate improvement opportunities to leadership
- Develop action plans that align with organizational priorities
- Participate effectively in quality governance structures
Stakeholder Engagement
Identify resource needs to improve qualityAssess the organization's culture of quality and safetyEngage stakeholders to promote quality and safetyProvide consultative support to the governing body and key stakeholdersPromote engagement and inter-professional teamwork
- Assess organizational culture and identify opportunities for improvement
- Engage diverse stakeholders effectively in quality initiatives
- Promote interprofessional teamwork and collaboration
2
Performance and Process Improvement
21.6%
Quality Improvement Implementation
Implement quality improvement trainingCommunicate quality improvement informationIdentify quality improvement opportunitiesEstablish teams, roles, responsibilities, and scopeParticipate in activities to identify innovative or evidence-based practicesLead and facilitate change
Quality Improvement Methods and Tools
Use performance improvement methodsUse quality tools and techniquesParticipate in monitoring of project timelines and deliverablesEvaluate team effectivenessEvaluate the success of performance improvement projects
- Apply appropriate performance improvement methodologies
- Select and use quality tools effectively
- Evaluate improvement project outcomes and team effectiveness
3
Population Health and Care Transitions
8.8%
Population Health Management
Identify data and resources for determining health status of defined populationsIdentify population health management strategiesIncorporate prevention, wellness, and disease management solutionsIncorporate techniques to address health disparities and promote equityAnalyze and use clinical, cost, equity, and social determinants data
Care Transitions
Identify opportunities for improvement in care transitionsCollaborate with stakeholders to improve care processes and transitionsIncorporate social determinants of health concepts
- Analyze population health data to drive improvement
- Design interventions that address health disparities
- Improve care transition processes across the continuum
4
Health Data Analytics
20.8%
Data Management Systems
Assist in evaluating and developing data management systemsDesign data collection plansIdentify and select measuresCollect and validate quantitative and qualitative dataIdentify external data sources for comparison and benchmarkingDesign scorecards and dashboards
Measurement and Analysis
Use data management systems for organization, analysis, and reportingUse data visualization and display techniquesUse measurement tools to evaluate process improvementUse statistics to describe data and examine relationshipsUse statistical process control techniquesCompare data sources to establish benchmarksInterpret data to support decision-making
- Design effective data collection and measurement systems
- Apply statistical methods to analyze healthcare data
- Use data visualization to communicate findings effectively
- Interpret data to drive quality improvement decisions
5
Patient Safety
14.4%
Patient Safety Infrastructure
Identify technology solutions to enhance patient safetyFacilitate the ongoing evaluation of safety activitiesApply techniques to enhance the culture of safetyIntegrate safety concepts throughout the organization
Safety Principles and Risk Management
Use safety principlesParticipate in safety and risk management activities
- Apply safety principles including HRO and human factors
- Conduct root cause analysis and proactive risk assessments
- Foster a culture of safety within healthcare organizations
- Integrate technology solutions to enhance patient safety
6
Quality Review and Accountability
12.8%
Standards and Best PracticesApply standards, best practices, and other information from quality-related organizations
Compliance Evaluation
Evaluate compliance with internal and external requirementsMaintain confidentiality of performance/quality improvement recordsImplement and evaluate quality initiatives that impact reimbursement
- Apply standards from major quality organizations
- Evaluate compliance with quality-based payment programs
- Understand confidentiality requirements for quality data
- Link quality initiatives to reimbursement
7
Regulatory and Accreditation
6.4%
Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance
Evaluate appropriate accreditation, certification, and recognition optionsPromote awareness of statutory and regulatory requirementsSupport processes for evaluating, monitoring, and improving complianceMaintain survey or accreditation readiness
- Understand major accreditation and regulatory bodies
- Maintain organizational readiness for surveys
- Monitor and improve regulatory compliance
- Navigate complex regulatory requirements
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CPHQ earns the CPHQ certification. It sits in the Healthcare Quality track.
Alternative Paths
CPPS - Certified Professional in Patient Safety Specialized focus on patient safety - complementary to CPHQ
Practice with Precision
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How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CPHQ is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2023-03-15
Updates
- Data Analytics and Visualization Core competency area with 26 items on exam
- Patient Safety Technology Understanding of safety technology solutions
- Population Health Management Systems SDOH integration and care transitions
Who should take this exam?
- Minimum 2 years of experience in healthcare quality profession
- Familiarity with healthcare quality concepts and practices
- Understanding of quality improvement methodologies