PCA oversedation: application of Healthcare Failure Mode Effect (HFMEA) Analysis

Nurs Econ. 2011 Mar-Apr;29(2):79-87.

Abstract

Hospital systems utilize many varied problem-solving processes to address system improvements and ensure patient safety. The Healthcare Failure Mode Effect Analysis (HFMEA) model is one of these tools and uses a multidisciplinary team to look at processes, diagramming the steps involved to identify potential failure points. The application of the HFMEA model allowed one large health care system to address a complex process by prioritizing proactive change improvements in order to prevent postoperative patient-controlled anesthesia oversedation events. The changes implemented identified 16 failure points with a hazard score of 16 or greater. One year later, the established system HFMEA goal was met: oversedation events were reduced by 50%.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / adverse effects*
  • Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / nursing*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Overdose
  • Humans
  • Hydromorphone / administration & dosage*
  • Medication Errors / prevention & control*
  • Organizational Case Studies
  • Patient Care Team
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Safety Management*
  • Washington

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Hydromorphone