NAHQ CPHQ Practice Exam

A Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is performed

1. as a preventative measure before an incident occurs

2. if the severity of an incident led to a patient death

3. to immediately investigate an incident that occurred

4. when there is a chance of an incident reoccurring

The correct answer is: as a preventative measure before an incident occurs

A Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is performed as a preventative measure before an incident occurs. It is a proactive risk assessment tool used to identify potential failure modes in processes or systems that could lead to errors, defects, or adverse events. By analyzing the potential failure modes and their effects, healthcare organizations can take steps to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place, ultimately improving patient safety and quality of care. This proactive approach aligns with the principles of quality improvement and patient safety initiatives in healthcare settings. Option B, C, and D are not correct as they do not accurately describe the purpose and timing of conducting an FMEA.