Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

The key to understanding this question lies in recognizing what constitutes an external force versus an internal one. External forces are those that originate outside of an organization and can influence its operations, policies, and procedures.

Accreditation standards are established by external bodies that assess the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. Compliance with these standards influences how departments operate, making them a significant external force.

The demands from the labor sector to increase wages are a manifestation of external economic conditions and workforce trends that affect how organizations recruit and retain talent. Such demands can impact department budgets and operational strategies, reinforcing their nature as external forces.

On the other hand, low staff morale stems from internal factors within an organization, such as work culture, employee engagement, or management practices. While low morale can certainly have an impact on departmental operations, it is driven by internal conditions rather than external pressures.

A memo from the CEO about cutting down electrical consumption may seem like an internal communication but is representative of broader organizational responses to external situations, such as rising utility costs or environmental initiatives. Yet, it is more of an operational directive rather than a force impacting operations from outside.

In conclusion, low staff morale is an internal issue and, therefore, does not qualify as an external force influencing departmental operations.