Gap analysis is the correct tool because the hospital is comparing its current condition against an external set of expected requirements from an accreditation body. In Six Sigma and organizational assessment practice, gap analysis is used to determine the difference between the present state and a required or desired future state. In this case, the list of items from the assessors becomes the target condition or assessment standard. Management can review each requirement, compare it with existing hospital practices, controls, records, and compliance evidence, and then identify where deficiencies or missing elements exist. This makes gap analysis ideal for certification preparation, readiness reviews, and compliance assessments. FMEA is a preventive risk tool for possible failures, RCA is used after a problem has occurred to identify causes, and MSA evaluates measurement systems. None of those directly fits the purpose of comparing current organizational readiness to an external evaluation standard. Therefore, the correct answer is C, Gap analysis, because it systematically identifies what must be closed before the accreditation survey takes place.

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