Adopting the human factors analysis and classification system into emergency medicine morbidity and mortality rounds: a quality improvement initiative.

Objectives: This initiative assessed the integration of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System, adapted from aviation, into emergency medicine morbidity and mortality rounds. The objective was to determine whether incorporating the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System could lead to a perceived increase in the overall quality of morbidity and mortality presentations through the standardization of classifying cause factors of medical errors.

Methods: This study involved eight emergency medicine residents who applied the adapted Human Factors Analysis and Classification System framework to their morbidity and mortality case presentations over 6 months. Data were collected through surveys completed by presenters and morbidity and mortality audience members. These assessed four main outcomes: relevance, feasibility, quality, and acceptability of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System framework.

Results: The integration of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System was positively perceived across all outcome measures. Presenters and audience members rated cause factor identification as important (100%), indicating the relevance of Human Factors Analysis and Classification System in morbidity and mortality rounds. Feasibility assessments showed a mean score of 4.25 out of 5, indicating favorable ease of use. The quality assessment mean score was 3.97 out of 5, indicating perceived improvement in cause factor identification. Presenters (62.5% Strongly Agree, 37.5% Agree) and audience members (73% Yes, 21.62% Undecided, 5.4% No) expressed acceptability and support for continued Human Factors Analysis and Classification System use.

Conclusion: Integrating the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System into morbidity and mortality rounds in the Department of Emergency Medicine was well-received and led to a perceived increase in the quality of cause factor identification. Both presenters and audience members endorsed the use of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System, suggesting its desirability for sustained integration. The results of this study pave the way for future quality improvement initiatives, including the adaptability of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System across various medical departments and its potential to enhance cause factor classification in morbidity and mortality rounds.