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Mistake-Proofing the Design of Health Care Processes

Figure 2.4. RPN calculations

Flow chart showing sequence of events, reactions, and RPN recalculation: Process function/requirement; Potential failure mode; Potential effects of failure; SEV (severity - a numerical rating); Potential cause of failure; OCC (likelihood of occurrence - numerical rating); Current process control; DET (detectability - numerical rating); RPN (Risk Priority Number - numerical rating); Recommended Actions. High RPNs deserve concentrated effort and the best possible solutions as recommended actions. Recommended actions for low RPNs should not be allowed to distract attention from higher RPNs.

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