How does proactive hazard analysis relate to other quality/safety programs?
HACCP/FMEA-style proactive hazard analysis (PHA) represents a new way to think about hazard prevention and safety in health care, a proactive rather than reactive approach requiring and creating a different mind-set and organizational culture. Previous tools (TQM/CQI, RCA) have helped to set the stage for this new direction. Key PHA process attributes: • Identifies vulnerabilities in processes that can lead to undesirable results • Enables ranking of risks/vulnerabilities most important to reduce • Enables analysis of underlying causes of risks/vulnerabilities • Enables identification of actions to reduce risks/vulnerabilities • Monitors whether completed actions are effective • Enables/requires a decision about preventing, eliminating, or reducing potential hazards Key points of the process: • Explicit goal is safety • Reaching goal requires a team approach to thinking about what one is doing • Proactive/preventive approach is essential • Core model includes systems approach and ident
