What is the purpose of an external audit?

The purpose of an external audit primarily revolves around ensuring compliance with external standards and regulations. Such audits are conducted by independent third parties who evaluate an organization's adherence to laws, industry standards, and specific regulatory requirements. This is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability within organizations, particularly in the healthcare sector, where compliance is critical for protecting patient information and ensuring quality of care.

An external audit serves as an objective assessment, allowing organizations to identify areas of potential non-compliance or risk and implement necessary changes. The findings from these audits can inform a facility's compliance strategies and enhance its overall governance structure.

The other options relate to different areas of organizational assessment and improvement but do not capture the primary objective of an external audit. Evaluating internal staff efficiency, conducting facility maintenance inspections, and assessing patient satisfaction are more focused on internal operations and quality management rather than compliance with external regulatory standards.