What is the goal of root cause analysis?

The goal of root cause analysis is primarily to identify underlying issues in systems or processes that lead to errors or undesirable events. By focusing on understanding the fundamental reasons behind a problem, healthcare organizations can implement changes that prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This analysis emphasizes a systematic approach to find not just immediate causes but also the deeper systemic factors contributing to the problem.

By redesigning systems based on the insights gained from root cause analysis, organizations improve patient safety and overall operational efficiency, ultimately benefiting care quality. This proactive stance helps create a culture of safety rather than one that merely seeks to assign blame or increase reporting burdens without addressing the actual causes of issues.