Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

What is the first step in the root cause analysis process following a serious adverse event?

1. Perform individual interviews with involved staff members

2. Gather appropriate information

3. Identify RCA team members

4. Identify factors that contributed to the event

The correct answer is: Identify RCA team members

The first step in the root cause analysis (RCA) process following a serious adverse event is to identify the RCA team members. This step is crucial because having the right group of individuals involved ensures that diverse perspectives and expertise are brought into the analysis, which can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the event. The team typically includes members from multiple disciplines relevant to the event, such as clinical staff, risk management, quality assurance, and sometimes even patient representatives. By assembling a multidisciplinary team first, the analysis can commence with a focus on collaboration and shared insights, which will be foundational when exploring the subsequent steps, such as gathering information, conducting interviews, and identifying contributing factors. This collaborative foundation helps ensure that all relevant angles and nuances of the incident are explored, leading to more effective and actionable findings and recommendations for patient safety improvements.