1. What are the three main types of hazards that can cause harm to patients, staff, and visitors in a health care setting? How can they be prevented or minimized? The three main types of hazards are physical, chemical, and biological. Physical hazards include falls, fires, electrical shocks, and equipment malfunctions. Chemical hazards include exposure to toxic substances, spills, leaks, and explosions. Biological hazards include infections, allergies, and contamination. They can be prevented or minimized by following safety policies and procedures, using personal protective equipment, reporting and correcting hazards, and educating staff and patients. 2. What is the purpose of a root cause analysis (RCA) in health care? What are the steps involved in conducting an RCA? - The purpose of an RCA is to identify the underlying factors that contributed to an adverse event or near miss in health care, and to recommend actions to prevent recurrence. The steps involved in conducting an RCA are: defining the problem, collecting data, identifying causal factors, finding root causes, developing recommendations, implementing solutions, and evaluating outcomes. 3. What are some common sources of medication errors in health care? What are some strategies to prevent or reduce them? - Some common sources of medication errors are: prescribing errors, transcription errors, dispensing errors, administration errors, and monitoring errors. Some strategies to prevent or reduce them are: using standardized protocols and guidelines, using computerized provider order entry (CPOE) and barcode systems, using medication reconciliation and verification processes, using smart pumps and infusion devices, educating staff and patients, and reporting and learning from errors.