WHY ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS???

Are you finding that your work or daily life is afflicted with problems that do not necessarily have an identifiable cause? If so, implementing Root Cause Analysis (RCA) may help. RCA identifies the factors that resulted in the nature, the magnitude, the location, and the timing of harmful outcomes in the past in order to identify which behaviors, actions, inactions, or conditions must be changed in order to prevent recurrence of similar harmful outcomes. Root Cause Analysis also helps to attain better consequences.

In the health industry, there is a need for maintaining quality services and treatment. It is absolutely necessary to incorporate RCA as a tool for continuous improvement if your goal is to always strive to be better and have the highest possible standards.

Root Cause Analysis, begin by:

1. Defining the current problem. 2. Gather data and evidence, creating a timeline of events that lead to

the crisis. 3. Identify the causes associated with each step in the sequence towards

the defined problem or event and recognize potential root causes that may have led to the event.

4. Distinguish solutions that are effective and prevent recurrence with reasonable certainty. Also, be certain to obtain a consensus agreement among your fellow employees.

5. Implement these root cause corrections, and ensure the effectiveness of these solutions by observing the results.

Root CauseA root cause, at the most basic level, is a fundamental reason for the occurrence of a problem or event. The appellation "root" is meant to differentiate a root cause from a more immediate or proximate cause; in other words, it can be considered an ultimate cause.

Root cause is that most basic  reason for an undesirable condition or problem which, if eliminated or corrected, would have prevented it from existing or occurring.

Wilson, Paul F., Dell, Larry D., and Anderson, Gaylord F., Root Cause Analysis,

ASQ Quality Press (1993).

An original cause, through a chain of cause and effect, of an undesirable effect (UDE).

Dettmer, William H., Goldratt's Theory of Constraints,ASQ Quality Press (1997).

Any cause in the cause continuum that is acted upon by a solution such that the problem does not recur.

Gano, Dean L., Apollo Root Cause Analysis (2nd ed),Apollonian (2003).

A Root Cause is the absence of a best practice or the failure to apply knowledge that would have prevented the problem.

Paradies, Mark and Unger, Linda, TapRooT,System Improvements (2008).