Question 1

Which of the following is most true about a healthcare organization's stakeholders and its policies and procedures?&#10;A) Only executives are held accountable for policies and procedures&#10;B) Only private practitioners need to develop policies and procedures&#10;C) Only patients benefit from policies and procedures&#10;D) Only stakeholders can access policies and procedures

Accepted Answer

"Only stakeholders can access policies and procedures" is the best answer. Policies and procedures are typically shielded from competitors for example. All staff are accountable for at least some policies and procedures. All healthcare organizations need them. Vendors, employees, and all other stakeholders benefit from policies and procedures.

Question 2

What is the difference between a policy and a procedure?&#10;A) A policy is more specific than a procedure.&#10;B) A policy is more enduring than a procedure.&#10;C) A procedure requires less frequent modification than a policy.&#10;D) A procedure limits variations in actions more than a policy.

Accepted Answer

Procedures have more specific details than policies. Procedures are less enduring because of technological and other changes in healthcare and therefore procedures require more frequent modification, not less. A good procedure allows for individual discretion and variation in work as long as the outcome is preserved.

Question 3

Which of the following characteristics best describes a procedure?&#10;A) Step-by-step&#10;B) General rules&#10;C) Guides decisions&#10;D) Enduring

Accepted Answer

All and answer options but "step-by-step" are characteristics of policies not descriptions of a procedure.

Question 4

Which of the following terms is used for documents that provide the legal framework of an organization?&#10;A) Bylaws&#10;B) State statutes&#10;C) Policies and Procedures&#10;D) Practice Guidelines

Accepted Answer

Bylaws are documents that provide the legal framework of an organization.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true of the policies and procedures of private physical therapy practices?&#10;A) They are not necessary unless required for a business license&#10;B) They are a powerful management tool when taken seriously&#10;C) They can easily be transferred from one type of practice to another&#10;D) They are not admissible in court action against a practice

Accepted Answer

They are necessary because, for one reason, it is impossible to remember all of the decisions made. They are not easily transferred because of the uniqueness of each practice. They are admissible as evidence. They are a powerful management tool.

Question 6

Which of the following actions of managers is most likely to result in compliance with policies and procedures?&#10;A) Punitive measures for non-compliance with a policy&#10;B) Review of the manual during new-employee orientation&#10;C) On-going employee reviews of selected policies and procedures&#10;D) Strict procedures and vague policies

Accepted Answer

The more employees are engaged in the development process, the more likely they will be successfully implemented. Education is expected to be more effective than punishment. Simply reading the manual at orientation is not effective. Procedures should be flexible and policies should be clear and lasting.

Question 7

When a therapist is having difficulty in making decisions about patients with low back pain, a manager should refer the therapist to which of the following resources?&#10;A) By-laws&#10;B) Policies and Procedures&#10;C) Clinical guidelines&#10;D) Protocols

Accepted Answer

By-laws are the legal framework of a corporation that do not address specific clinical issues. Clinical guidelines are established standards for decision-making about specific conditions across different settings (ex: flowcharts - if. . . ., then. . .). Protocols are detailed treatment regimens that address how/what to do that may vary from one place to another. Policies and procedures cover the gamut of healthcare operations and reflect an organization's vision and mission.

Deck 6: Responsibility for Policies and Procedures