Healthcare failure mode and effect analysis (HFMEA) for improving the qualification rate of disinfection quality monitoring process
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Published on: August 11, 2017
Xuxia Yu1, Tieer Gan1, Yuexian Zhu1
1Department of Hospital Infection Control, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Background:
This study aimed to assess potential failure mode, implement countermeasures against risks and improve disinfection quality monitoring using healthcare failure mode and effect analysis (HFMEA).
Methods:
Between July 2017 and March 2018, a multidisciplinary team was formed to conduct HFMEA and implement improvement interventions. Fourteen monitoring departments and seven monitoring items were involved. The qualification rate of monitoring process was used to evaluate the influence of HFMEA on the standardization monitoring management of disinfection quality.
Results:
After HFMEA, the qualification rate of overall monitoring process of disinfection quality improved from 16.5% to 78.7% (P < 0.001), and the qualification rates of each monitoring step were all significantly improved. The qualification rate implemented by the clinical laboratory improved from 20.1% to 100.0% (P < 0.001). The qualification rate implemented by thirteen monitoring departments improved from 20.1% to 78.7% (P < 0.001), where seven reached 100%. Out of seven monitored items, three had the qualification rate of 100.0%, while the remaining four items showed significant rising in qualification rates (P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
HFMEA were helpful in improving the qualification rate of disinfection effect monitoring process.
Insights
Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) significantly improved disinfection quality monitoring. The qualification rate of the monitoring process increased from 16.5% to 78.7%, demonstrating enhanced disinfection effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Risk Management in Healthcare
- Infection Control
Background:
- Disinfection quality monitoring is crucial for patient safety.
- Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) offers a systematic approach to identify and mitigate risks.
- Previous methods for monitoring disinfection quality had significant failure modes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess potential failure modes in disinfection quality monitoring.
- To implement countermeasures against identified risks using HFMEA.
- To improve the overall standardization and management of disinfection quality.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary team conducted HFMEA between July 2017 and March 2018.
- Improvement interventions were implemented based on HFMEA findings.
- The qualification rate of the monitoring process was the primary metric for evaluating HFMEA's impact.
Main Results:
- The overall qualification rate for disinfection quality monitoring improved from 16.5% to 78.7% (P < 0.001).
- Significant improvements were observed across all monitoring steps, including a rise from 20.1% to 100.0% in the clinical laboratory.
- Thirteen monitoring departments saw their qualification rates increase from 20.1% to 78.7%, with seven achieving 100%.
Conclusions:
- HFMEA is an effective tool for enhancing disinfection quality monitoring processes.
- The systematic risk assessment and intervention strategy led to substantial improvements in disinfection quality.
- Implementing HFMEA contributes to better standardization and management of healthcare disinfection practices.
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