Introduction
In medical practice, the presence of errors is inevitable because many factors affect the result: the patient’s behavior, the tactics of doctors, and the treatment conditions. Methods are used to determine the cause and classify errors for different decisions to detect errors (Bickley & Torgler, 2021). The most commonly used method is the root cause method; however, several others focus on different aspects of medical errors.
Discussion
The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is a tool for identifying errors in the high-risk category. It allows for rapid identification and response to avoid potential negative consequences. Its relevance has been proven during a pandemic and an acute need for rapid response (Bickley & Torgler, 2021). In contrast to root cause analysis, HFACS is a hierarchical tool worth using in general practice.
Systems-theoretic accident model and process (STAMP) is based on safety control based on systematic analysis. Unlike root cause analysis, STAMP encompasses the integrity of the process by evaluating it as a system (Silvis-Cividjiana et al., 2020). It becomes helpful in identifying error risks that are related to the safety of medical services and procedures. STAMP is used for sequential processes, identifying system weaknesses. Medical errors are often system-related, so their analysis is critical to the organization.
The functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) is used to map healthcare processes, assessing the relationships between errors and actions. Unlike root cause analysis, FRAM does not examine a specific cause but seeks to find relationships (McGill et al., 2022). This characteristic allows it to be regarded as the most convenient because it combines both hierarchy and systematic analysis. FRAM is recommended for use in different departments of the organization because it considers the variability of factors and their interrelationship and is classified according to the degree of importance and impact on the system.
Conclusion
Thus, in addition to root cause analysis, HFACS, STAMP, and FRAM are found in practice to analyze and classify medical errors. HFACS is needed to establish the influence of human error and respond quickly to the error. STAMP is used to identify systemic errors that result from disrupted care delivery processes. Finally, FRAM is used to categorize and map processes by referral and then assess interrelationships. In personal practice, FRAM is worth pursuing because it combines the strengths of the other methods.
References
Bickley, S. J., & Torgler, B. (2021). A systematic approach to public health – Novel application of the human factors analysis and classification system to public health and COVID-19. Safety Science, 140. Web.
McGill, A., Smith, D., McCloskey, R., Morris, P., Goudreau, A., & Veitch, B. (2022). The Functional Resonance Analysis Method as a health care research methodology: A scoping review. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 20(4), 1074–1097. Web.
Silvis-Cividjiana, N., Verbakelb, W., & Admiraal, M. (2020). Using a systems-theoretic approach to analyze safety in radiation therapyfirst steps and lessons learned. Safety Science, 122. Web.