What is a possible consequence of failing to meet National Patient Safety Goals?

• A. Violation notice or loss of accreditation
• B. Immediate closure
• C. Fines only
• D. No consequence

Answer: (A)

Not meeting National Patient Safety Goals triggers enforcement actions from the organization that accredits health facilities. These goals are used to protect patients by preventing common errors, so when a facility falls short, surveyors document deficiencies and may issue a formal citation or deficiency notice. If the problems are serious or not corrected, the facility can lose its accreditation. That is why the option describing a violation notice or loss of accreditation is the best fit. Immediate closure is not the typical automatic outcome of safety-goal noncompliance, fines alone aren’t the standard action taken by the accrediting body for these goals, and there would usually be some consequence rather than none.