National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

Who is primarily responsible for implementing policies in a healthcare organization?

1. Department managers

2. Chief executive officer

3. Care recipients

4. Governing body

The correct answer is: Chief executive officer

The chief executive officer (CEO) is primarily responsible for implementing policies in a healthcare organization because the CEO holds the highest level of authority and oversight within the organization. The CEO translates the strategic goals set by the governing body into operational plans and ensures that staff at all levels understand and adhere to these policies. This role involves coordinating with various department managers to ensure that policies are implemented consistently across the organization, allocating resources as necessary, and establishing a culture that supports policy adherence. While the governing body creates and approves policies, it is the CEO who ensures their execution. Department managers play a critical role in executing these policies within their specific areas, but they report to the CEO and rely on that leadership for organization-wide directional clarity. Care recipients are not responsible for implementing policies; rather, they are the subjects of the policies intended to enhance their care and safety. Thus, the structure of leadership in a healthcare organization ultimately places the accountability for policy implementation on the CEO.