What is a common outcome of performing a Root Cause Analysis?

A common outcome of performing a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is the reduction of readmission rates. RCA is a systematic process used to identify underlying reasons for adverse events or failures in healthcare delivery. By pinpointing the root causes of issues such as readmissions, healthcare providers can implement targeted interventions aimed at preventing the same problems from recurring.

For instance, if an RCA reveals that a significant number of readmissions are due to a lack of proper discharge planning or inadequate follow-up care, healthcare institutions can improve their discharge processes and enhance communication with patients. This proactive approach can lead to better patient outcomes, ultimately resulting in fewer readmissions.

The other options do not directly align with the primary goals of RCA. Increased patient complaints indicate a failure to address underlying issues, while the identification of unnecessary treatments might be a secondary benefit of an RCA but is not a primary expected outcome. Similarly, improvement in healthcare marketing is unrelated to the RCAs intended focus on patient safety and quality of care.