ObjectiveTo explore the application and effect of root cause analysis (RCA) in the management of adverse nursing events.
MethodsNursing staff members were trained to establish the team of root cause analysis. They collected related materials of adverse nursing events in the infusion room of the Department of Pediatrics, found out the proximal causes and root causes, developed and implemented the corrective measures. RCA was carried out between January 2013 and December 2014. The efficacy was evaluated and the adverse events rate was compared before and after the practice.
ResultsAfter the performance of RCA, the reporting rate of adverse events increased, the rate of adverse events decreased, and the reporting rate of potential safety problems also increased. All those changes were significant (P<0.01).
ConclusionRoot cause analysis can decrease the rate of adverse nursing events, raise the reporting rate of adverse events. It is an effective guarantee to improve the nursing safety management.
