Which tool is commonly used to assess potential risks in patient safety?

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic, proactive method used to evaluate processes to identify where and how they might fail, and assessing the relative impact of different failures to address potential risks to patient safety. The key aspect of FMEA is its focus on understanding the causes of failures before they occur, allowing healthcare organizations to implement strategies to mitigate those risks.

By examining each step of a healthcare process, FMEA helps identify not only the modes of failure but also their effects and causes. This analysis fosters discussions among team members, leading to the development of actions aimed at improving safety and promoting high-quality patient care. The structured approach of FMEA makes it an integral tool for organizations aiming to enhance patient safety and prevent adverse events.

While other tools such as the Risk Assessment Matrix may assist in prioritizing risks, or Process Improvement Charts help visualize workflow, FMEA is uniquely focused on anticipating failures, making it a more comprehensive tool for assessing potential risks in the context of patient safety.