Pricing: Member: $60.00 NonMember: $78.00 Junior Member: $15.00

To register for this activity, you must either pay by credit card or have ordered this product in advance. Click the Register tab then click the Enroll button, you will be prompted for validation or processed for payment.

To enroll in the series with one easy payment, or to enroll multiple participants from the same institution, call 800-323-4040 option 1. This option is only available until December 31, 2026 after this date this activity is only accessible by an online credit card payment.

Intended Audience
This clinical pathology activity is intended for pathologists.

Description
Having a quality mindset often involves analyzing systems, and the performance of one’s own laboratory section holistically to identify gaps and potential process improvements. Root cause analysis (RCA) is a systematic approach used to investigate deviations, nonconformances, and incidents within blood banks. It aims to identify fundamental sources of problems rather than addressing the superficial issues. Such an approach helps prevent recurrences, which enhances patient safety and laboratory efficiency. This activity will provide examples of how to employ various quality tools in RCA of common issues encountered by the blood bank.

Objectives
After completing this activity, you should be able to:

1. Describe well-known quality tools to evaluate common problems facing a blood bank and explore solutions.
2. Employ the five whys technique to clarify and refine a problem statement and investigate the root cause.
3. Use fishbone and affinity diagrams to consider multiple aspects of a blood bank problem before identifying solutions.
4. Employ a process mapping flowchart to better understand the sequence of steps in a process and where possible gaps, bottlenecks, and rework loops may exist.
5. Use a Pareto chart to quantify contributing factors to identify those with greatest impact.

Authors/Faculty
Melissa Robin George, DO, FCAP

Related Link
Clinical Pathology Improvement Program

CME Information
Accreditation: The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Category 1: The College of American Pathologists designates this internet enduring material educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Payment Information
To pay with a check, print a copy of this page and send it with your check to the address below. You will be notified when your payment has been processed and you have been registered into the activity.

College of American Pathologists
CAP Learning
325 Waukegan Road
Northfield, IL 60093-2750

Refund Policy
Refunds will be handled on an exception basis. Please submit your request to the CAP in writing via email at [email protected] or fax at 847-832-8006.

Technical Requirements
Pop-up blockers must be turned off.

The CAP recognizes that some Veteran’s Administration, US Government, and military participants may have difficulty accessing the online activity. If you experience difficulty or have any questions, please contact a representative of the Customer Contact Center at 800-323-4040 option 1 or [email protected].

Availability
This activity and evaluation are available October 19, 2026, - October 18, 2029, at 11:59 PM (CT). Upon completion of the activity your credit will be awarded. Your certificate may be downloaded from your Transcript.

CC: CPIP1010W.2026

Key Words: BrowseCP, Quality Assurance/Improvement, Corrective Action and Preventive Action