What is the aim of root cause analysis in quality management?

The aim of root cause analysis in quality management is to identify the fundamental causes of problems. This process is essential for improving quality and safety in healthcare settings. By investigating and determining the root causes, organizations can implement effective interventions and corrective actions to prevent recurrence of the issues, leading to sustained improvements in quality and overall patient safety.

Understanding the underlying problems allows healthcare providers to address not just the symptoms of an issue, but the complete system or process failures that contribute to those symptoms. This proactive approach to problem-solving is critical in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement within healthcare organizations.