FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam 2025 - Free NABP Practice Questions and Study Guide

The focus of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is the retrospective examination of events. RCA is a systematic process used to identify the fundamental reasons that underlie a problem or event. By analyzing what has already occurred, healthcare professionals can uncover the root causes of adverse events or failures. This analysis helps to prevent recurrence by modifying systems and processes based on the findings.

In a healthcare context, RCA is particularly valuable because it helps organizations understand why an incident happened by exploring the underlying issues rather than just addressing the immediate symptoms or consequences. By implementing changes based on this analysis, healthcare providers can enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of care.

While prospective event analysis, behavioral change strategies, and quality control measures are all important elements of quality improvement in healthcare, they do not encapsulate the primary nature of RCA, which is focused on learning from past events to drive future improvements.