An integrated HFMEA-DES model for performance improvement of general hospitals: A case study

Abstract

Purpose

Healthcare failure mode and effect analysis (HFMEA) identifies potential risks and defines preventive actions to reduce the effects of risks. In addition, a discrete event simulation (DES) could evaluate the effects of every improvement scenario. Consequently, a proposed integrated HFMEA-DES model is presented for quality improvement in a general hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed model, HFMEA is implemented first. As any risk in the hospital is important and that there are many departments and different related risks, all defined risk factors are evaluated using the risk priority number (RPN) for which related corrective actions are defined based on experts' knowledge. Then, a DES model is designed to determine the effects of selected actions before implementation.

Findings

Results show that the proposed model not only supports different steps of HFMEA but also is highly in accordance with the determination of real priorities of the risk factors. It predicts the effects of corrective actions before implementation and helps hospital managers to improve performances.

Practical implications

This research is based on a case study in a well-known general hospital in Iran.

Originality/value

This study takes the advantages of an integrated HFMEA-DES model in supporting the limitation of HFMEA in a general hospital with a large number of beds and patients. The case study proves the effectiveness of the proposed approach for improving the performances of the hospital resources.

Citation

Ershadi, M.M., Ershadi, M.J. and Niaki, S.T.A. (2021), "An integrated HFMEA-DES model for performance improvement of general hospitals: A case study", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 38 No. 1, pp. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-08-2019-0277