Root Cause Corrective Action

Juran Healthcare goes beyond basic Root Cause Analysis by incorporating common cause analysis into our Root Cause Corrective Action process. This lesser used, but extremely powerful, tool allows hospitals and health systems to zero in on process problems, thus having a better chance of uncovering the true root cause and correcting the deficiency.

Root Cause Corrective Action and A3 Problem Solving for error reduction are used when error precursors are identified or near miss/serious safety events occur. Root Cause Corrective Action is a 30-day-to-45-day process that identifies true root causes of events. Root causes must meet certain criteria and must provide correction actions to prevent recurrence. Because of resource constraints, Root Cause Analysis teams are convened only under certain criteria and chartered by a senior executive champion. A3 problem solving is a tool that can be used by anyone to help identify apparent cause and subsequent remedial actions. A3 reports are generated in great numbers and are normally used for minor events and error precursors. Both Root Cause Corrective Action and A3 reports should generate data used for data analysis purposes.

Error Proofing is a tool that uses process and equipment design to significantly reduce or eliminate human error. Level I error-proofing design makes it impossible to make an error (gas fittings that will not connect) and Level II error proofing significantly reduces the probability of making an error (bar coding medication administration).