Using Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis Tool to Review the Process of Ordering and Administrating Potassium Chloride and Potassium Phosphate

During the spring of 2004, in the Calgary Health Region (CHR) two critical incidents occurred involving patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The outcome of these events resulted in the sudden death of both patients. The Department of Critical Care Medicine’s Patient Safety and Adverse Events Team (PSAT), utilized the Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) tool to review the process and conditions surrounding the ordering and administration of potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium phosphate (KPO 4 ) in our ICUs. The HFMEA tool and the multidisciplinary team structure provided a solid framework for systematic analysis and prioritization of areas for improvement regarding the use of intravenous, high-concentration KCL and KPO 4 in the ICU.