What is Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)?Informal Definition of FMEA: A standardized technique for prioritizing the improvement activities for potential problems in a process. Everything else is commentary.
Formal Definition of FMEA: A systematic process for identifying potential design and process failures before they occur, with the intent to eliminate them or minimize the risk associated with them.
In healthcare applications, the focus is on process rather than design. As in any other industry, the emphasis is on prevention, not correction.
Healthcare Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (HFMEA®) constitutes a sound business practice:
Transform risk management from a reactive process to proactive one
Decrease claims and reduce risk exposure
Enhance your Report Card for better public confidence
Provide an opportunity to market patient safety awareness
Offer the potential to shift Risk Management to a PROFIT CENTER enterprise
FMEAs are intended to result in preventative actions; they are not "after-the-fact" exercises done to satisfy a customer, meet JCAHO accreditation requirements or fix a process which has already gone awry.
Time and resources for a comprehensive FMEA should be allocated during process development, when changes can most easily and inexpensively be implemented.
HFMEA® is the acronym for Healthcare Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, and has become widely used in the healthcare environment. HFMEA is a registered trademark of CCD Health Systems.
Try the only FMEA software product designed expressly for the healthcare environment - Failure Mode Analyst. Contact us at 1-800-862-9939 for more information.