What is a "failure mode and effects analysis" (FMEA)?

A "failure mode and effects analysis" (FMEA) is best understood as a systematic approach used to identify potential failure points in a process and assess their impact. This process is particularly vital in healthcare settings where patient safety is paramount. By recognizing where failures might occur, healthcare organizations can proactively address these issues before they lead to adverse outcomes.

FMEA involves analyzing each step of a process to determine where and how it might fail, along with evaluating the consequences of those failures. This approach allows organizations to prioritize risks and implement strategies to mitigate them, ultimately improving processes and patient care.

The other options either mischaracterize the nature of FMEA or focus on unrelated aspects of healthcare practice. For instance, evaluating patient satisfaction centers around collecting and analyzing feedback from patients, which differs significantly from the process-based analysis in FMEA. Additionally, while staff training and budgeting are critical elements in healthcare management, they do not specifically relate to the identification and assessment of process failures that FMEA targets.