By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

1. Test their Knowledge & Understanding on

• Explain the principles and purpose of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) in healthcare quality improvement.
• Describe common RCA tools such as the 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa), and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).

2. Application

• Apply RCA methodologies to analyze real or simulated healthcare incidents (e.g., patient falls, medication errors, communication failures).
• Use FMEA to identify potential system failures and propose preventive strategies.

3. Analysis
   
   
   • Analyze data gathered during RCA to identify underlying system, process, and human-factor contributors to adverse events.
   • Differentiate between symptoms of a problem and true root causes within healthcare processes.
4. Evaluation
   • Evaluate the effectiveness of RCA findings in improving patient safety, reducing risks, and enhancing healthcare outcomes.
   • Assess the quality of corrective actions developed from RCA in terms of feasibility, sustainability, and impact.
5. Creation
   • Develop comprehensive corrective and preventive action plans (CAPA) based on RCA findings.
   • Design process improvements that prevent recurrence of incidents and support a culture of safety and continuous improvement in healthcare organizations.

Foundational Knowledge

• Unit 1.1: Introduction to Quality Assurance
  Builds core understanding of quality concepts, systems thinking, and the role of QA in healthcare.
• Unit 1.2: Quality Assurance Frameworks
  Covers structure–process–outcome models, quality frameworks, and performance measurement to contextualize RCA work.

Basic Patient Safety Concepts

• Familiarity with safety culture, error types, and incident reporting systems to conduct meaningful RCAs.

Introductory Analytical Skills

• Basic problem-solving and data-interpretation skills to analyze events, contributing factors, and apply RCA tools effectively.

Healthcare Operations Exposure (recommended, not required)

• Experience with clinical workflows or healthcare operations to better recognize process failures and systemic issues uncovered by RCA.

Course Policies and Expectations

All learning events delivered through the Coral Plus Learning Management System (LMS) are governed by the following Course Policies and Expectations. Participation in a Coral MED learning event constitutes the learner’s agreement to comply with these policies. These expectations are designed to ensure a professional, respectful, secure, and effective learning environment consistent with the IACET 2018 Standard.

Participation and Engagement

Learners are expected to actively participate in all required learning activities, including modules, webinars, discussions, and assessments. For asynchronous courses, participation is verified through LMS activity logs, module completion, and assessment submission. For synchronous sessions, learners are encouraged to join several minutes early to address any technical issues and ensure full participation.

Registration and Access

Participants must register in advance to receive access to the learning event. Access links, passwords, and login credentials—when applicable—are provided securely to registered participants only and must not be shared. Unauthorized access or distribution of access credentials is prohibited.

Technology and Technical Readiness

Learners are responsible for ensuring they have a stable internet connection, compatible devices (computer, tablet, or smartphone), and recommend web browsers to support the learning experience. A microphone and webcam may be required for interactive sessions. Learners should test audio and video settings prior to the start of the session to minimize disruptions.

Webinar Delivery and Recording

Live webinars may be recorded for educational and quality assurance purposes. Recorded sessions may be made available to registered participants following the learning event. Recordings are intended solely for educational use and remain the intellectual property of Coral MED Management Institute.

Assessment and Timely Completion

Learners must complete all required assessments, evaluations, and learning activities within the designated course timeframe to be eligible for CEUs or certificates of completion. Late or incomplete submissions may result in ineligibility for credit unless prior arrangements have been approved.

Academic Integrity and Professional Conduct

Learners are expected to demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professionalism throughout the learning event. Plagiarism, misrepresentation of work, unauthorized collaboration, or falsification of records is prohibited. Respectful conduct is required in all learning environments, including virtual discussions and live sessions.

Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Protection Policy

Learners must adhere to all privacy and confidentiality requirements, and applicable data protection regulations. Participants should not share personal, patient, or confidential information during learning activities, discussions, or webinars. Any proprietary or sensitive information encountered during the course must be handled in accordance with Coral MED’s confidentiality and data protection policies. All learner information including enrollment data, grades, and records—is maintained in secure systems compliant with IACET 8.6 and federal privacy standards (FERPA and HIPAA, as applicable). Information is used solely for educational administration and reporting. No personal data will be released without written consent.

Learning Environment and Schedule

 A detailed agenda will be provided in advance of the learning event. Sessions will adhere to the published schedule to ensure all planned topics are covered. Time will be allocated for questions, discussion, and learner interaction as appropriate to the course format.

Support and Technical Assistance

Technical support contact information or helpdesk access will be provided during live sessions and within the LMS. Common technical issues and troubleshooting guidance may be addressed at the beginning of the session. Learners are encouraged to seek assistance promptly if issues arise.

Learning Resources

Relevant learning materials, such as presentation slides, recordings, reference documents, or additional reading resources, may be shared with registered participants following the learning event. These materials are provided for personal educational use only.

 Proprietary and Confidential Information Policy

Certain learning modules, case studies, or demonstrations may contain proprietary or confidential information belonging to Coral MED or its partners. Learners and instructors are required to maintain the confidentiality of such information and may not share, disclose, or reproduce any proprietary content outside the course environment. All participants must adhere to nondisclosure and confidentiality obligations outlined in enrollment agreements and faculty contracts. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, loss of CEU credit, or legal remedies where applicable.

Intellectual Property Rights Policy

All course materials including manuals, slides, multimedia, simulations, assessments, and software—are the intellectual property of Coral MED Management Institute or the respective content author. These materials are protected by U.S. copyright law and international treaties. Learners receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the materials solely for personal educational purposes. Copying, recording, redistributing, or commercial use of Coral MED content without prior written authorization is strictly prohibited. Faculty and subject-matter experts retain ownership of their original intellectual contributions, subject to Coral MED’s right to use and distribute them within its educational programs under agreed terms.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Coral MED Management Institute is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Admission, participation, assessment, and certification decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any learner or staff member who believes they have been subject to discrimination or harassment should report the concern in writing to the Compliance & Equity Officer for prompt review and resolution.

Code of Conduct and Equity Policy

Coral MED is committed to creating a learning environment that promotes respect, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity. Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Violations may lead to removal from the course and reporting to

Who Should Take This Course

Quality & Safety Professionals

• Quality improvement officers
• Patient safety coordinators
• Clinical governance specialists
  Why: They routinely lead incident investigations and need strong root cause analysis (RCA) skills.

Clinical Leaders & Managers

• Nurse managers, charge nurses, unit supervisors
• Medical directors, clinical coordinators
  Why: They oversee daily operations and must spot, analyze, and correct process failures.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Risk managers, safety/compliance officers
• Accreditation and audit specialists
  Why: They apply RCA to evaluate and document compliance with standards (e.g., CMS, Joint Commission, WHO) and to mitigate organizational risk.

Healthcare Analytics & Performance Teams

• Data analysts, performance measurement staff
  Why: They use RCA to identify trends, interpret incident data, and support corrective action plans.

Frontline Clinical Staff

• Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals
  Why: Frontline teams are closest to patient events and benefit from RCA to improve safety, communication, and teamwork.

Students & Early-Career Professionals

• Learners in healthcare management, public health, nursing, quality assurance, or health information management
  Why: Builds foundational, real-world problem-solving and investigation competencies.

Why This Course Matters

• Find true causes, not symptoms: Strengthens the ability to identify underlying causes of adverse events and near misses.
• Investigate with rigor: Builds competence in RCA tools and methods (problem statements, causal mapping, contributing factors, corrective actions).
• Reduce risk & improve culture: Expands knowledge of risk reduction strategies, safety culture, and continuous improvement.
• Advance your career: Prepares participants for leadership roles in healthcare quality, patient safety, risk management, and compliance.