What criteria should be used for selecting patient records for compliance assessment?

Selecting patients from various units is the most appropriate criterion for compliance assessment because it allows for a comprehensive understanding of adherence to standards across the entire healthcare facility. By choosing records from different departments, you can evaluate diverse aspects of care, varying practices, and potential challenges that may arise in different settings. This holistic approach provides a clearer picture of the organization’s overall performance and compliance with regulations.

Sampling solely from the emergency department would limit the assessment to one area, potentially overlooking compliance issues in other departments. Likewise, focusing only on patients with the most complaints may create a biased view of compliance, as it could lead to an overemphasis on problematic cases rather than reflecting general practices. Selecting only recent admissions also restricts the analysis and may not represent the facility's ongoing adherence to standards. A varied selection helps ensure that the compliance assessment is thorough and reflective of the entire organization’s operations and quality of care.