Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardRoot Cause Analysis and Error Investigation

A 68-year-old man with a history of severe obstructive sleep apnea is admitted to the surgical ward following an elective laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. During evening sign-out, the primary surgical team informs the cross-covering night resident that the patient is hemodynamically stable and recovering well. Later that night, the patient complains of moderate incisional pain. The cross-covering resident, who has not reviewed the patient's full preoperative anesthesia assessment, orders a standard dose of intravenous hydromorphone. A floor nurse administers the medication. Two hours later, the patient is found unarousable with a respiratory rate of 6/min and an oxygen saturation of 82% on room air. A rapid response code is initiated, naloxone is administered, and the patient is transferred to the intensive care unit, where he subsequently makes a full recovery. The hospital's patient safety committee is tasked with evaluating this sentinel event.

Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in the formal investigation of this incident?

  1. Assemble a multidisciplinary team to retrospectively analyze the event timeline and identify latent system vulnerabilitiesAnswer
  2. B
    Conduct a failure mode and effects analysis of the postoperative analgesia protocol to map potential risks
  3. C
    Immediately implement a standardized handoff tool requiring acknowledgment of respiratory risk factors
  4. D
    Determine that the resident's failure to review the preoperative assessment was the primary cause of the event
  5. E
    Require the involved resident and nurse to complete a remediation module on opioid prescribing guidelines

Answer

The most appropriate initial step is to assemble a multidisciplinary team to retrospectively analyze the event timeline and identify latent system vulnerabilities.
When a serious adverse event or sentinel event occurs, standard quality and safety protocols dictate that a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) be performed. RCA is a retrospective, multidisciplinary process used to identify the underlying system-level vulnerabilities (latent errors) that allowed an active error (such as administering opioids without checking the full chart) to reach the patient. The essential first step in an RCA is to assemble a multidisciplinary team that includes individuals directly involved in the event, as well as representatives from relevant departments (e.g., nursing, pharmacy, physician leadership). This team is tasked with mapping out the sequence of events, identifying all contributing factors, and ultimately developing strong, system-based corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nature of the clinical incident described in the vignette.
The patient experienced a serious adverse event (opioid-induced respiratory depression) that required a rapid response and transfer to the intensive care unit.
Determining the severity of the event dictates the appropriate quality improvement response.
2
Determine the standard patient safety protocol for investigating a serious adverse event or sentinel event.
A Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is indicated for retrospective evaluation of unexpected events involving death or serious physical or psychological injury.
RCA is the gold standard methodology for post-incident error investigation in healthcare settings.
3
Select the option that correctly describes the initiation of an RCA.
Assembling a multidisciplinary team for retrospective analysis correctly describes the first step of the RCA process.
RCA requires input from all involved disciplines to systematically identify latent system errors, rather than blaming individuals.

Key Concept

Following a sentinel or serious adverse event, a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) must be initiated by assembling a multidisciplinary team to retrospectively identify latent system vulnerabilities.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Root Cause Analysis and Error Investigation

More questions from this topic