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Goal: To provide an overview of the Healthcare Failure Modes Effects Analysis (HFMEA™) tool and its role on continuous quality improvement.

Objectives:

Explain the Healthcare Failure Modes Effects Analysis (HFMEA™) tool.
Outline the factors that can cause or contribute to infection.
Discuss the importance of continuous quality improvement in health care.

Acknowledgment: The authors wish to thank Katherine Brown, Quality Improvement Director, Heartland Kidney Network, Kansas City, MO.

Statement of Disclosure: The authors reported no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this continuing nursing education article.

CMS Disclaimer: The work upon which this publication is based was performed under Contract Number HHSM-500-2006-NW018C, entitled End Stage Renal Disease Networks Organization for the State of California (Southern Region), sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author assumes full responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the ideas presented. This article is a direct result of the Health Care Quality Improvement Program initiated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which has encouraged identification of quality improvement projects derived from analysis of patterns of care, and therefore, required no special funding on the part of this contractor.

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