Title: A comparative analysis of experts' judgment methods for patient safety implementation - FMEA and fuzzy AHP

Authors: Seyedehfatemeh Golrizgashti; Mehrdad Keshmiri; Noshad Nazabadi

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran ' Department of Industrial Engineering, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran ' Department of Industrial Engineering, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: Regards to the complexity of healthcare systems, it is very important to apply accurate and effective methods to manage probable risks to enhance patient safety. The aim of this study is to identify probable risks by using failure modes, effects analysis method and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to compare obtained results and define shortages of experts' judgment methods. This study has been conducted in electrocautery surgery in an operating room at a hospital in Iran. The failures modes, their effects and causes are identified by in-depth interviews, hospital documentation and fuzzy Delphi method. Obtained results show that decision making based on experts' judgment methods may lead to different results, therefore applying accurate quantitative methods to enhance reliability and patients' safety is essential. While this study identifies the potential risks of a complex surgery, comparing the obtained results based on two methods is the most important contribution of this paper.

Keywords: quality management; patient safety; healthcare system; risk; FMEA; FAHP; electrocautery surgery.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2022.126944

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2022 Vol.37 No.3, pp.384 - 404

Received: 11 Mar 2020
Accepted: 13 Jan 2021
Published online: 14 Nov 2022 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article