Which statement best describes the role of external criteria?

• A. They are defined by hospital staff
• B. They are created by forces outside the organization, such as TJC and NCQA
• C. They focus on geographic coverage
• D. They assess board certification

Answer: (B)

External criteria are standards set by organizations outside the hospital that define acceptable quality and safety for care. They provide objective benchmarks used across institutions to evaluate clinician qualifications and facility performance. The best description is that they are created by forces outside the organization, such as The Joint Commission and NCQA, which publish credentialing and quality standards hospitals adopt to meet national benchmarks. They aren’t defined by hospital staff, they don’t specifically focus on geographic coverage, and while board certification can be part of credentialing information, external criteria cover a broader range of standards for practice, performance, and patient safety that guide privileging decisions.