Before implementing a new patient service, the healthcare quality professional should recommend conducting a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). FMEA is a proactive tool used to identify potential failure points in a new process or service before they occur. This analysis helps to prioritize risks based on their severity, occurrence, and detectability, and to implement corrective actions to mitigate these risks. By using FMEA, the organization can enhance patient safety by addressing potential problems before they affect patients.
Developing a safety monitoring checklist (A): While useful, this step comes after identifying potential risks and failure modes through FMEA.
Conducting a root cause analysis (RCA) (B): RCA is a reactive tool used after an adverse event occurs, making it unsuitable for proactive risk assessment before implementing a new service.
Performing just-in-time staff safety training (D): While important, this should follow the identification of risks and implementation of safety measures based on the FMEA findings.
Reference
NAHQ Body of Knowledge: Risk Management and Patient Safety
NAHQ CPHQ Exam Preparation Materials: FMEA Process and Application