Evaluate three different tools developed to manage patient safety issues and educate health care providers. Describe one strength and one limitation of each.

 

     I.           Plan-do-study-act (PSDA)

This tool aims to bring positive changes to a health system due to its cyclical nature of effecting and assessing changes. This mainly met through short and frequent PSDA. It starts by determining the scope of the problem, changes to be made, a plan to change, the involved characters, the measure to understand the impact of change, and where the strategy is to be targeted. Implementation of the change is done, and results are used to take action.

Strength

It is easy to implement compared to other tools.

Weakness

It lacks to invest in tailored and rigorous applications.

     II.           Six sigma

It involves designing, improving, and monitoring the process to eliminate any waste while maximizing financial stability and satisfaction. This is done in two methods, i.e., involves inspecting the outcome and counting the defects. In contrast, the other one involves calculating the sigma metrics of defining tolerance and comparing it with the process variations.

Strength

It increases value in a system and reduces waste.

Weakness

This tool is complex and requires the staff to be trained before using it.

   III.           Lean production system

It also involves improving the process by eliminating waste, but in this case, the system does it to identify consumer needs. It depends on root cause analysis to identify an error that occurred to a patient and use it to improve quality and eliminate such errors (Hughes).

Strengths

It reduces waste or less important activities in the process.

Weakness

It is ineffective in that it is prone to labor and equipment failure.