The Error Management Risk Index™ (EMRI™) is a numerical value assigned to an organization upon review of its efforts being made to reduce errors and its sensitivity to error precursors. The Index is used for comparison between organizations, comparison to industry averages and a method to monitor changes in risk level. Most importantly it focuses efforts where they are most needed.

The EMRI™ was developed by compiling data from many years of root cause analysis investigations performed following significant events involving human error. The data showed and continues to show the same causes for these negative events. These causes are the presence or absence of certain key attributes associated with human errors. The Index is the end result of an assessment of these attributes in an organization.

A confidential database of Index values is maintained and participants are given their score compared to averages. The scores are updated and grouped by size and type of organization.

Three levels of review are available to determine the Index values for an organization:

• “Free Screening” done in one day, approximately 5 people interviewed and 5 observations.
• “Detailed analysis” with approximately 30 people interviewed and 30 observations.
• “Diagnostic evaluation” with full staff interview and additional analytical tools, testing and analysis.

Areas reviewed are the three key areas, which impact risk and error management. The three areas are the people, the systems and the culture. Each area has its own key attributes. The following are examples of those attributes:

1. People; individual behaviors, confidence, morale, attitude, personal issues, physical condition
2. Systems; policies, practices, layout, physical environment, training programs, tools, procedures, references, information, staffing
3. Culture; goals, priorities, time pressure, consequences, social norms, peer pressure, reinforcement, unintentional intimidation, communication, trust, fear, alternate agendas

The analysis of each of these areas involves assessment of the status of the key attributes required for success in the area. Each area has 12 -16 attributes.

Each attribute will be evaluated by an experienced assessor, based on observations and interviews and assigned between 1 and 5 points with 1 being most desirable and 5 indicating the highest risk.  The attribute points are added up to give a subtotal in each key area and a grand total. The lowest (best) grand total possible is 40 and the highest is 200.

The final Index is defined by the position in a range as follows:

1 = Innovator  (< 80)
2 = Improving (80-120)
3 = Monitor (120-160)
4 = Needs Attention (160-180)
5 = High Risk (180-200)

With this Index, informed decisions can be made concerning actions to be taken to reduce risk and the priorities to be assigned to different initiatives.

It’s worth a look!