What do High Reliability Organizations prioritize in their operations?

High Reliability Organizations (HROs) prioritize understanding and addressing failures in their operations because they recognize that even small errors can lead to significant consequences in high-risk environments. By focusing on understanding the root causes of failures, HROs aim to learn from incidents rather than merely punishing individuals. This approach promotes a culture of safety and continuous improvement, where team members feel empowered to report errors and near misses without fear of retribution.

Understanding and addressing failures allows HROs to implement effective preventive measures, improve systems, and ultimately enhance patient safety. In contrast, approaches that prioritize profit over safety, enforce disciplinary measures for errors, or promote competition within teams can undermine the collaborative culture needed to foster high reliability in organizations. Such negative practices may lead to a lack of transparency, hinder communication, and create environments where learning from mistakes is discouraged, ultimately compromising safety and reliability.