Root Cause Analysis in Practice: Investigating Clinical Incidents

1. Program overview

Root cause analysis fails in predictable ways: it stops at the sharp end, it confuses sequence with cause, and it produces recommendations nobody can implement. This course teaches a disciplined method — timeline construction, contributory factor analysis, the five whys used properly, fishbone mapping — and the judgement to know when each is appropriate. You will work through a full investigation from notification to report, including how to interview staff involved in an incident without re-traumatising them, and how to write recommendations that are specific, owned and testable.

2. Why this program

• A complete method from notification to closed action.
• Teaches interviewing that does not re-traumatise staff.
• Recommendations that are specific, owned and testable.
• Covers the common ways RCA goes wrong.

3. Who it is for

Quality Officer · Nurse · Physician · Healthcare Manager · Pharmacist · Allied Health

4. Program objectives

• Describe when root cause analysis is and is not the right tool
• Construct an accurate incident timeline from mixed sources
• Apply contributory factor frameworks to a clinical event
• Conduct a supportive interview with staff involved in an incident
• Differentiate contributory factors from root causes
• Write recommendations that are specific, assigned and measurable

5. Learning outcomes

• Construct a defensible timeline from a set of incident records
• Apply a contributory factors framework to classify identified issues
• Differentiate proximate cause from underlying system cause
• Plan an interview approach for a distressed staff member
• Evaluate a set of draft recommendations against the effectiveness hierarchy
• Document an investigation in a format suitable for governance review

6. Curriculum

1. Module 1: When RCA Is the Right Tool

   • When RCA Is the Right Tool

2. Module 2: Building the Timeline

   • Building the Timeline

3. Module 3: Contributory Factor Analysis

   • Contributory Factor Analysis

4. Module 4: Interviewing After an Incident

   • Interviewing After an Incident

5. Module 5: From Findings to Recommendations

   • From Findings to Recommendations

6. Module 6: Reporting and Follow-Through

   • Reporting and Follow-Through

7. Duration and structure

Total study hours: 3.5 — 2.75h content + 0.75h assessment. Duration is expressed in study hours only.

9. What you receive

This certificate confirms completion of Root Cause Analysis in Practice: Investigating Clinical Incidents. Duration is expressed in study hours.

10. Delivery format

Self-paced · start any time · any device · lifetime access to the enrolled version.