Things happen fast in value analysis, but often the root cause of issues may be a bit cloudy or not apparent at all. When value analysis is presented with problems like cost increases, product failures, recalls, resilience issues and alike, we often do not know the root cause of the issue. This is challenging, because how can you develop a solution to a problem when you cannot put your finger on the actual root cause(s)? This is a daunting challenge that every value analysis professional must deal with often.
The Easily Forgotten Analysis in Value Analysis
When it comes to new product requests (NPRs), a requester is typically seeking a new product to solve a problem or improve a procedure. Too often, the focus immediately shifts to evaluating the specific product or system being requested, without first examining the underlying need. Instead, our role should be to step back and assess the current state: What is being used today? Which needs or functions are not being met by the existing product or system? And how does that compare to the proposed solution? As my father, Robert T. Yokl, often asked, “Do they even need that new product at all?” It’s a bold question, but in value analysis, asking tough, foundational questions is essential to doing the job effectively.
Guess Work Versus Root Cause Analysis
How often do requesters propose a new product for their nursing unit as a solution to a problem — without first involving value analysis — assuming the issue can be resolved simply by spending more? At best, it’s a 50/50 chance they’re right. But when patient care is at stake, is that a risk worth taking?
You can’t simply throw money at a problem without first understanding its root cause — it’s like trying to hit a moving target. And there’s no guarantee the issue is product-related; it could just as easily stem from a process or workflow on the nursing unit. It’s far better to identify at least one clear root cause that a product can definitively address than to rely on guesswork.
Throwing Money at Problems Instead of Doing Root Cause Analysis First
As an example, a nursing CLABSI reduction team at a health system was formed to lower infection rates. However, rather than first identifying the root causes of the increase, they repeatedly introduced new products for their PICC lines. In reality, this approach amounted to guesswork. The team often implemented multiple new products at once in an effort to improve outcomes, but they did not conduct trials, evaluations, or comparisons against similar nursing units that did not adopt the changes. Such comparisons could have helped determine whether the new products were truly effective. Instead, deploying several products simultaneously across affected units made it nearly impossible to isolate which, if any, contributed to reducing CLABSI rates.
Start with a Blank Sheet
My recommendation is to start with a blank sheet and build a functional matrix that maps what each product contributes to PICC line setup, maintenance, dressing, and tubing changes. By following the PICC lifecycle end to end, you gain visibility into both upstream and downstream steps, along with every product involved. This approach helps highlight potential gaps or risks — such as lapses in proper technique, like not using a full gown, mask, or sterile gloves during dressing changes. Often, it’s the smallest details that have the greatest impact. Creating this type of visual framework not only supports CLABSI reduction efforts but also serves as a powerful tool for broader value analysis and problem-solving. Functional analysis is especially effective in identifying and addressing root causes.
No More Guess Work!
There are many ways to identify the root cause of challenges involving both clinical and non-clinical products. The key is to clearly define those root causes before implementing any procedural changes or introducing new products. Taking this approach reduces guesswork and saves time, ensuring your efforts are guided by verified issues rather than assumptions. This, my friends, is the right way to go about a value analysis study to solve a problem!
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