A nurse is participating in a performance improvement program. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to evaluate the effectiveness of the program?

A. "Define the problem.": While defining the problem is important in the early stages of performance improvement, evaluating effectiveness requires looking at data or outcomes, not just the initial identification of the issue. B. "Identify data collection methods.": Identifying data collection methods is part of the planning phase, but evaluating the effectiveness involves reviewing actual data to see if the goals of the program were achieved. C. "Perform chart audits.": This is correct. Performing chart audits allows the nurse to assess if the desired improvements have been implemented and whether the performance outcomes are being met. Chart audits are a common method for evaluating the effectiveness of a performance improvement program. D. "Review the facility's policy and procedure manual.": While reviewing policies is important for understanding standards of care, it does not directly evaluate the effectiveness of a performance improvement program. Data from actual practice, such as chart audits, would be more relevant for evaluation.