United States Department of Veterans Affairs


HFMEA Decision Tree


The HFMEA Decision Tree is used to determine whether the failure mode warrants further action on the basis of a lack of detectability, criticality, and absence of effective control measures.

- Start -
(Failure Mode or Failure Mode Cause from Worksheet)

Click yes or no to go through Decision Tree.

Does this hazard involve a sufficient likelihood of occurrence and severity to warrant that it be controlled?

(Hazard Score of 8 or higher)

Yes                 No

Q: How do I measure whether a failure mode cause needs to be controlled?
A: Use the HFMEA Scoring Matrix

Is this a single point of weakness in the process?
[Criticality]

Yes                 No

Q: What is a single point weakness?
A: If the step in the process is so critical that its failure will result in system failure or in an adverse event then you have identified a single point weakness. For example, momentary interruption of the power supply that would result in loss of data.

Does an effective control measure exist for the identified hazard?
[Controlled]

Yes                 No

Q: What is an effective control measure?
A: An Effective control measure serves as a barrier that eliminates or substantially reduces the likelihood of a hazardous event occurring. For example, an anesthesiology machine may prevent cross-connection of medical gases through the use of pin indexing and connectors that have different threads.

Is the hazard so obvious and readily apparent that a control measure is not warranted?

[Detectability]

Yes                 No

Q: What would be an example of a hazard that is detectable?
A: Must be so visible and obvious that it will be discovered before it interferes with completion of task and activity.

Proceed to HFMEA

Step 5 (see Worksheet)

Return to JQI Article - Using Healthcare Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

Return to Start

Stop*

* Document rationale for all Stop decisions on the worksheet

Return to JQI Article - Using Healthcare Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

Return to Start

Return to top of page