These analyses can be of enormous value. They capture both the big-picture perspective and the details. They facilitate system evaluation, analysis of need for corrective action, and tracking and trending. Regarding trending, managers will be able to determine how often a particular error such as an instrument error—occurs or how often a particular floor or unit of the hospital is involved. This information may provide clues to the problem. Root cause analysis is as useful and perhaps even more efficacious in the near-miss scenario. The technique is applicable not only to laboratory medicine but to all health care–associated disciplines.