American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ANCC Practice Questions and Study Guide

The statement regarding the Joint Commission's mandate for hospitals to implement Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) programs is true because the Joint Commission, as a key accrediting body for health care organizations in the United States, requires these programs as part of its accreditation standards. The aim of CQI is to systematically improve processes and outcomes in health care, thereby enhancing patient safety and quality of care. By mandating CQI, the Joint Commission emphasizes the importance of ongoing evaluation, monitoring, and improvement of healthcare practices.

The context surrounding the other options provides valuable insight. For instance, CQI programs typically encompass broader organizational changes rather than focusing solely on individual incidents, which relates to the focus and scope of quality improvement initiatives. Regulatory agencies indeed have developed various quality measures and indicators, countering the notion that effective measurement methods are lacking. Furthermore, while payment policies related to the quality of care are evolving, it’s not accurate to state that hospitals universally do not receive payment if quality evaluations are absent, as billing practices depend on numerous factors including specific health care policies and payor agreements. Overall, the correctness of the statement about the Joint Commission reflects its pivotal role in establishing quality improvement frameworks within health care institutions.