What is the main focus of failure mode and effects analysis?

The main focus of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is the identification of potential failures in a process. FMEA is a proactive tool used in quality management and risk assessment to systematically evaluate possible failure modes within a system, process, or product and their effects on outcomes. The goal of this analysis is to identify vulnerabilities before they result in actual failures, enabling organizations to implement preventive measures to mitigate risks.

By prioritizing the potential failures based on severity, occurrence, and detection, FMEA helps organizations to focus their efforts on the most critical areas that could lead to adverse outcomes. This approach improves safety, operational efficiency, and overall quality management in clinical practices and organizational processes.

In contrast, strategies for cost reduction, employee training on safety measures, and enhancing product quality are important components of organizational improvement but are not the central aim of FMEA. Rather, these activities can sometimes be outcomes or benefits derived from conducting a thorough FMEA if it leads to improved processes and fewer failures.