RCA Corrective Actions Flashcards

In RCA, what distinguishes a 'corrective action' from a 'containment action'?

Answer: Corrective actions address the root cause to prevent recurrence; containment actions provide immediate short-term relief

Containment actions are temporary fixes to stop immediate harm, while corrective actions target the root cause to permanently prevent the problem from recurring.

Which of the following is an example of a 'systemic corrective action' in RCA?

Answer: Redesigning the process to prevent the error from being possible regardless of who performs it

Systemic corrective actions change the system or process so that the root cause condition cannot recur, rather than just addressing the individual incident.

What is the 'hierarchy of corrective actions' in RCA, ranked from most to least effective?

Answer: Elimination → Engineering controls → Administrative controls → Training

Elimination of the hazard is most effective; then engineering controls; then administrative controls; and lastly training, which is least reliable for preventing recurrence.

In RCA, what does it mean to 'mistake-proof' (poka-yoke) a process as a corrective action?

Answer: Designing the process so that errors are impossible or immediately obvious

Mistake-proofing (poka-yoke) redesigns a process or tool so that an error either cannot be made or is instantly detected before it causes harm.

Why is it important to assign a specific owner and due date to each corrective action in RCA?

Answer: To ensure accountability and track progress toward timely implementation

Assigning ownership and due dates creates accountability, ensures actions are not forgotten, and allows progress to be monitored until completion.

What is 'effectiveness verification' in the context of RCA corrective actions?

Answer: Checking after implementation that the corrective action actually prevented recurrence of the problem

Effectiveness verification involves monitoring performance data after corrective actions are implemented to confirm the root cause has been eliminated and the problem has not recurred.