James Reason's Swiss Cheese Theory

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James Reason's Swiss Cheese Theory

Introduction

The purpose of this assignment is to enlighten and explore Swiss cheese theory prescribed by Reason. The model representing Swiss cheese theory was suggested by James Reason in order to cope with the hazards and anomalies associated with the process. Nonetheless, it can be stated that the theory proposed by James Reason has become one of the significant paradigms for evaluating the risks and errors associated with medical practice and patient care.

In addition, this theory can also be implemented in the healthcare industry in order to minimize the occurrence of hazardous incidents in order to maximize patient safety. The objective of this assignment is to analyze and explore different components associated with Swiss cheese theory proposed by James Reason and justify its implication in the healthcare industry for acknowledging evidence-based care. The theory proposed by James Reason is based on the model prescribed which represents the anomalies and failures existing in the healthcare system.

James Reason's Swiss Cheese Theory

The model proposed by James Reason represents the barrier or hazards encountered in healthcare service provision as unwanted weaknesses (Reason, 2000, 768-770). These anomalies and flaws are considered as major holes into the structure of healthcare system; therefore, the barriers and anomalies in the model are considered similar to the holes in Swiss cheese. This model was named after this conceptions and its interpretation. The occurrence of hazardous incidents in medical practice is inconsistent as it is not mandatory that similar issues occur every time. Therefore, it is considered that the issues in medical practice occur randomly and approaches must be flexible enough to cater the concern as per the diversity accompanying it (Reason, 1995, 80-89).

The implementation of Swiss cheese theory in medical practices asserts that the accumulation of all randomly acknowledged hazards can cause a significant threat to life of patient or substantial damage to the healthcare system. It can be stated that the implication of his model in the healthcare industry can assist the process of strategy formulation in order to cope with the risks associated with medical practice. In addition, the implication of this model is also applicable to prohibit medical malpractice and issues encountered by patients while medical treatment. The implication of Swiss cheese model can assist the concerns associated with patient safety (Layde, Cortes, Teret, Brasel, Kuhn, Mercy, Hargarten, Maas, 2002, 7-9).

In addition, the model prescribed by Reason can facilitate the process of understanding and analyzing the occurrence and trend of incidents that are sophisticated to interpret. The implication of Swiss cheese model is not restricted to medical and healthcare practice only as the model has been widely adapted by different sectors and industries. Nonetheless, it can be stated that some conceptions and metaphors associated with Swiss cheese theory slightly change as per the amendment in the industry in which it is implemented (Layde, Cortes, Teret, Brasel, Kuhn, Mercy, Hargarten, Maas, 2002, 7-9).

Swiss Cheese Theory Implementation in Healthcare System

James Reason proposed the image of Swiss cheese ...