Exploring Simulation in Healthcare: Enhancing Root Cause Analysis

In the latest episode of Simulcast, Victoria Brazil and Ben Symon delve into two compelling papers that explore the intersection between healthcare simulation and patient safety. Join them for the November edition of the Simulcast Journal Club as they discuss how simulation can enhance root cause analysis (RCA) of adverse surgical outcomes.

The primary focus is on a landmark paper by Douglas Slakey and his team, published in the International Journal for Quality in Healthcare in 2014. This research investigates the potential of using simulation to recreate adverse surgical events, aiming to uncover deeper insights beyond traditional root cause analysis.

Through detailed case studies, including instances of unrecognized complications and erroneous surgeries, the episode highlights the complexities of medical errors and the limitations of conventional analysis. The hosts consider whether simulation can offer a more nuanced understanding, acknowledging the challenges of resource-intensive processes.

Tune in to explore the possibilities of simulation as a tool to bridge gaps in patient safety and improve healthcare outcomes, challenging the status quo in root cause analysis.