Original Article

The application of failure mode and effects analysis method as a risk management technique during blood and blood components request,transfer and transfusion process

10.5455/Gulhane.176399

  • Mesut Çimen
  • Çağlayan Saral
  • Efe Onganer
  • Ahmet Şahin

Received Date: 03.01.2015 Accepted Date: 07.07.2015 Gulhane Med J 2016;58(3):238-244

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to explain the process and results of an application to reduce risks for patient safety during the blood and blood components request, transfer and transfusion process as a part of quality and patient safety studies.

Methodology:

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), one of the main risk management methods in quality and patient safety applications, is carried out in an hospital during the blood and blood components request, transfer and transfusion processes to determine and assess the severity, probability and detectability of the potential failures. Risk Priority Number (RPN) is calculated by using severity, probability and detectability scores and readjustments have been suggested with regards to high risk areas.

Findings:

It has been found that, with regards to the type and severity of the failure during request and transfer process, the treatment could be delayed and the loss of time and workforce could be observed whereas with regards to the type and severity of the failure during transfusion process, the death of patients may occur. As a result of the application of FMEA in the process of blood and blood components request, preparation, transfer and transfusion, it has been found that with the amendments implemented according to the potential failure types where risk priority number has been calculated above 100, the risk priority number has been reduced by 41.8 % from 2978 to 1732.

Conclusion:

In this study, the nature and scope of FMEA has been explained in detail and extensive information has been provided about a pilot study in order to assist practitioners who will carry out a similar application in the future.

Keywords: Risk, Risk Management, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis