Applying Healthcare Failure Method Effect Analysis (HFMEA) to Improve Focused Assessment Process for Chemotherapy Patients at the Basile Outpatient Infusion Center at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)

Abstract

Applying the Healthcare Failure Mode Effect Analysis (HFMEA) to healthcare processes has been recognized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Not enough data on the usage of HFMEA for focused oncology assessment for cancer patients. However, applying HFMEA to the process of focused assessment offers a comprehensive view on the failure and their causes for better care outcomes. The aim of the project is to identify the potential failure(s) in the process of focused assessment of oncology patients admitted for chemotherapy or for symptom management in the Basile Outpatient Infusion Center at AUBMC using HFMEA. This study quality improvement study will follow the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE 2.0) guidelines. Naturalistic approach will be used on nurses in the center, with as sample size of thirty cancer patients. Four major failure causes were identified: tool not opened on the electronic system, pick any question, pick relevant question(s), and documenting without asking the questions. Each had an increased Risk Priority Number (RPN). RPN ranges from 56 to 360 with a mean of 208. We also proposed some solutions for possible implementation to improve the process, hence better patient care.