Skip to content Skip to navigation
University of Warwick
  • Study
  • |
  • Research
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Alumni
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • About

University of Warwick
Publications service & WRAP

Highlight your research

  • WRAP
    • Home
    • Search WRAP
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse WRAP by Year
    • Browse WRAP by Subject
    • Browse WRAP by Department
    • Browse WRAP by Funder
    • Browse Theses by Department
  • Publications Service
    • Home
    • Search Publications Service
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse Publications service by Year
    • Browse Publications service by Subject
    • Browse Publications service by Department
    • Browse Publications service by Funder
  • Help & Advice
University of Warwick

The Library

  • Login
  • Admin

The challenges of undertaking root cause analysis in health care: a qualitative study

Tools
- Tools
+ Tools

Nicolini, Davide, Waring, Justin and Mengis, Jeanne (2011) The challenges of undertaking root cause analysis in health care: a qualitative study. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, Volume 16 (Supplement 1). pp. 34-41. doi:10.1258/jhsrp.2010.010092

Research output not available from this repository.

Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/jhsrp.2010.010092

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

Objectives: Root cause analysis (RCA) is a framework for structured investigations of safety incidents. Our aim was to identify the barriers to successful learning in health care and to make recommendations for service development.
Methods: A qualitative study that 'tracked' the investigation procedures and practices of ten patient safety incidents in two National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. Non-participant observations of the complete investigation process in various managerial and administrative settings, together with semi-structured qualitative interviews with those involved in the process, and following the completion of the final report.
Results: There are several challenges to undertaking root cause analysis in health care. These are associated with forming and leading the investigation team; gathering and analysing supporting evidence; and formulating and implementing service improvements. Undertaking root cause analysis remains a complex non-linear task which entails balancing a multiplicity of concerns and expectations. Supporting enhanced incident investigation requires keeping in focus the instrumental aim of triggering sustainable service improvement and not for the investigation to become an end in itself.
Conclusions: Health services leaders need to provide open endorsement of root cause analysis and of the staff carrying it out; enhance staff participation within learning activities and new analytic tools; and develop capabilities in change management. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy Vol 16 Suppl 1, 2011: 34-41 (C) The Royal Society of Medicine Press Ltd 2011

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Innovation, Knowledge & Organisational Networks Research Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Industrial Relations & Organisational Behaviour
Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Root cause analysis, Qualitative research, Medical care -- Evaluation -- Case studies
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Health Services Research & Policy
Publisher: Royal Society of Medicine Press Ltd.
ISSN: 1355-8196
Official Date: 2011
Dates:
DateEvent
2011Published
Volume: Volume 16
Number: Supplement 1
Page Range: pp. 34-41
DOI: 10.1258/jhsrp.2010.010092
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item View Item
twitter

Email us: wrap@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Details
About Us