Describe a "root cause analysis" as per Joint Commission standards.

A root cause analysis, according to Joint Commission standards, is fundamentally a systematic approach used to identify the underlying factors that contribute to sentinel events—unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. The purpose of this analysis is to go beyond merely addressing the symptoms of an issue, instead focusing on uncovering the foundational reasons why the event occurred.

By identifying these root causes, organizations can implement effective strategies to prevent future occurrences, thereby improving patient safety and overall quality of care. This process is crucial in a healthcare setting as it ensures that lessons are learned from adverse events, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and accountability within the organization.

In contrast, evaluating employee performance, conducting audits of healthcare services, or performing financial reviews do not directly pertain to identifying the underlying causes of sentinel events, which is the core focus of a root cause analysis. Therefore, option A is the most accurate representation of what root cause analysis entails within the context of Joint Commission standards.