Augmenting health care failure modes and effects analysis with simulation

Simul Healthc. 2014 Feb;9(1):48-55. doi: 10.1097/SIH.0b013e3182a3defd.

Abstract

This study explores whether simulation plays a role in health care failure mode and effects analysis (HFMEA); it does this by evaluating whether additional data are found when a traditional HFMEA is augmented with simulation. Two multidisciplinary teams identified vulnerabilities in a process by brainstorming, followed by simulation. Two means of adding simulation were investigated as follows: just simulating the process and interrupting the simulation between substeps of the process. By adding simulation to a traditional HFMEA, both multidisciplinary teams identified additional data that were relevant for deeper analysis. The study indicates that simulation has a role in HFMEA. Both ways of using simulation seemed feasible, and our results are not conclusive in selecting one over the other.

MeSH terms

  • Breech Presentation / therapy*
  • Denmark
  • Female
  • Group Processes*
  • Humans
  • Medical Errors / prevention & control
  • Patient Care Team*
  • Patient Safety*
  • Patient Simulation
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Assessment / methods*