What is a run chart used for in CDI performance tracking?

• A. A pie chart showing the distribution of DRG codes.
• B. A time-series plot of a metric to identify trends, shifts, or cycles in CDI metrics.
• C. A histogram of patient ages.
• D. A scatterplot of length of stay against comorbidity count.

Answer: (B)

A run chart is a time-series plot that displays a metric over time to reveal patterns such as trends, shifts, or cycles. In CDI performance tracking, you’d chart metrics like documentation quality scores, query rates, or timely documentation completion across days or weeks to see whether performance is improving, deteriorating, or showing recurring patterns that might indicate when interventions are effective or needed.

Pie charts summarize parts of a whole at a single point in time, not how a metric changes over time. Histograms show how a single variable is distributed, not its time-based progression. Scatterplots illustrate the relationship between two variables, not how a metric evolves over time. Therefore, the run chart is the best tool for monitoring CDI performance over time.