Question

Question: Hospitals are major users of poka-yoke (fail-safe) devices. Can you think of any?

Short answer

Answer

The poka-yoke approach assists in preventing erroneous gas cylinder connections with the anesthesia equipment. It facilitates the cross-verification of a patient's drugs, and the Pin Index security system, which comprises two holes as well as a pin, is used in anesthesia.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Poka-Yoke means "mistake-proofing" or "avoiding (yokeru) accidental blunders" (poka). Poka-Yoke ensures that the proper circumstances exist before executing a process step, hence avoiding faults from developing in the first place.

Analyze

The following are some examples of Poka-yoke devices used in hospitals:

1. The system has a specific geometric form for the combination of holes and pins for each gas connector. When improper gases are connected, the pins may not lock properly. As a result, this technique aids in avoiding the incorrect connection of gas cylinders into the anesthetic machine.

2. Doctors' prescriptions are checked and processed using computer technology. It aids in the cross-verification of the medications prescribed to a patient, and the Pin Index safety system, which consists of two holes and a pin, is used in anesthesiology.