Identification of key potential infection processes and risk factors in the computed tomography examination process by FMEA method under COVID-19 | BMC Infectious Diseases

Clinical significance

The FMEA results of the case hospital identified eight key risk factors and four key potential corresponding essential prevention processes. The corresponding key risk factors are discussed in the following sequence:

For the “CT request form (A₁)” process, “patient has obtained a CT request form but does not know the procedure (A₁₂) (RPN = 110)” and “patient cannot find the CT room (A₁₃) (RPN = 112.5)” are key risk factors. These issues are part of the patient access process within the case hospital. Under normal circumstances (in the absence of infectious disease), the patient could seek guidance from nurses, technicians, or others to complete the CT. However, the risk of nosocomial infections will increase owing to unnecessary contact during COVID-19 [26]. In the process of outpatient service delivery, formulating a service flowchart can streamline patient inquiries, avoid repetition in interpretation by hospital staff, improve the efficiency of hospital service delivery and patient service utilization, and ultimately improve the patient’s medical experience. The flowchart is often used as a simple and effective tool in formulating hospital service…