What-If analysis is a structured brainstorming method of determining what things can go wrong and judging the likelihood and consequences of those situations occurring.

Learn to use a ‘What-If’ patient safety analysis

June 1, 2005

Example of Completed What-If Analysis Form
Division: Nursing Date: 9/2004	Description of Task: Nurse entry of physician medication orders into computer
What If?	Answer	Likelihood	Consequences	Recommendations
What if the wrong medication is chosen from the pick list?	Wrong drug ordered Delay in medication administration if error caught by nurse before giving the medication	Possible	Serious	Change pick list to include ’Tall Man” letters and color coding to assist in differentiating between medication
What if the lighting makes it difficult to see computer screen?	Wrong drug chosen from pick list Unable to input orders into computer	Unlikely	Minor	No action recommended at this time
What if the wrong patient name is entered in computer?	Drug ordered for wrong patient Delay in medication administration if error caught by pharmacy or by nurse before giving the medication	Possible	Serious	Reinforce pharmacy checks to catch these types of errors prior to dispensing medication
What if the wrong strength, unit, or dosage form is chosen from the pick list?	Wrong strength, unit, or dosage form is ordered Delay in medication administration if error caught by pharmacy or by nurse before giving medication	Quite Possible	Very serious	Nurse to confirm medication strength, unit, and/or dosage with written order prior to administration of first dose
What if physician’s written order is illegible?	Nurse asks another nurse what the order reads Nurse contacts physician for clarification Delay in medication administration	Quite Possible	Minor	No action recommended at this time