Can simulation improve the traditional method of root cause analysis: a preliminary investigation.

Introduction: The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations recommendations for conducting root cause analysis (RCA) include identifying "root causes" and "common-cause variation" rather than "proximate causes" and "special-cause variation" to create interventions. Simulation for health care RCA is a novel technique but has not been compared with traditional RCA methods.

Methods: All of the RCAs of adverse events conducted at Tulane Hospital between September 2010 and September 2011 were reviewed.