RISK MANAGEMENT

Please view this short video:

QIO Program. (2014). Failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) [Video file]. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOLfe37gq4g

You have recently been appointed to a risk management position in a large hospital. On you first day in your new position, several key staff approach you individually to discuss their opinions concerning the use of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Several of the staff expressed their view that FMEA was not designed to be used in healthcare and to “force” it to work with a healthcare based risk management program will result in faulty analysis and actually increase risks. Other staff clearly supported FMEA and believe it is the future in healthcare risk management.

Before you meet with staff to discuss FMEA you need to know the following:

• What is Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)?
• In the context of risk management, how can it be used to improve processes in healthcare organizations?
• What impact can it have on preventing sentinel events?
• What are the Joint Commission’s requirements in this case?