“ASK WHY 5 TIMES” TECHNIQUE
The simplest way to perform a root cause analysis is to ask why 5 times. In the case above, the answers might read as follows:
• The laboratory aide was cut by a dissection knife.
• The knife was left by the sink.
• The area was not cleared on the previous day.
• Clearing is not a daily habit.
• Standard operating procedures/documentation for clearing do not exist.