Which agency aims to improve the quality and safety of healthcare and is a U.S. government agency?

• A. The Joint Commission
• B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• C. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Answer: (C)

Focuses on improving the quality and safety of healthcare through government-backed research and guidance. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a U.S. government agency within the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated to advancing the quality, safety, efficiency, effectiveness, and patient-centeredness of healthcare. It funds and conducts research, develops guidelines and patient-safety tools, and disseminates evidence to providers, health systems, and policymakers to improve care outcomes.

The other options operate differently: The Joint Commission is a private, nonprofit accrediting organization, not a government agency, though its standards influence care quality. OSHA focuses on protecting workers' safety, including in healthcare settings, but its mandate centers on workplace safety rather than general healthcare quality and safety for patients. The CDC is a federal public health agency focused on disease prevention and health surveillance, not specifically tasked with improving the quality and safety of healthcare delivery.