Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Data that compares the performance of a process now to how it performed after a change is known as:

1. aggregate.

2. audit.

3. baseline.

4. comparable.

The correct answer is: baseline.

The term "baseline" refers to the initial set of data that serves as a reference point for comparison. In the context of performance measurement, a baseline indicates how a process performed prior to implementing any changes. Once a change is made, subsequent data is collected to determine the impact of that change. By comparing this new data to the baseline, one can evaluate the effectiveness of the change. This concept is critical in quality improvement and health information management, as it allows organizations to track progress, identify trends, and make informed decisions based on empirical evidence. By establishing a baseline, practices can gauge whether the alterations have led to improvements, stagnation, or deterioration in performance. While aggregate data can provide overall insights into trends, and audits involve systematic evaluations of processes or outcomes, neither explicitly serves the purpose of comparing pre- and post-change performance like a baseline does. The term "comparable" indicates the ability to draw comparisons but doesn't specifically define a reference point like a baseline does.