NURSING C489 - Task 2 (completed).

NURSING C489 - Task 2 (completed)/NURSING C489 - Task 2 (completed). A. Explain the general purpose of conducting a root cause analysis (RCA). Before explain the general purpose of conducting a root cause analysis, we need to know what a root cause analysis is. A root cause analysis is a method of solving a problem that is used to identify the root causes of problems, events, issues, outcomes, or faults. When looking at healthcare an RCA is usually done retrospectively to study an event where a patient or patients are harmed or an unexpected/undesired outcome has occurred. The general purpose for conducting a root cause analysis is to figure out why the event occurred, serves as an input process for remediation, and setting up corrective actions to prevent the event from occurring again. It is also a way to improve patient safety and prevent future harm to patients. There is one reason an RCA is not appropriate and that is in cases of negligence or willful harm.