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What are High Reliability Organizations?

A High Reliability Organization is an organization that conducts operations with minimal error, over an extended time, and consistently makes good decisions that result in both high quality and high reliability.*

HRO theory is structured around several basic principles that together promote a culture of safety. These structures include developing and maintaining standard processes; implementing checks and redundancy to mitigate potential failure; deferring to individuals with the most information; and developing teams that openly communicate about failure to prevent recurrence of unsafe incidents.* An organization that is reliability-seeking is preoccupied with failure and actively works toward building and enhancing a culture of safety.* * * *


References

Bigley, G. A., & Roberts, K. H. (2001). The incident command system: High-reliability organizing for complex and volatile task environments. Academy of Management Journal, 44, 1281–1299. doi:10.2307/3069401

Hartmann, C. W., Meterko, M., Zhao, S., Palmer, J. A., & Berlowitz, D. (2013). Validation of a novel safety climate instrument in VHA nursing homes. Medical Care Research and Review, 70, 400-417. doi:10.1177/1077558712474349

Roberts, K. H. (1990). Some characteristics of one type of high reliability organization.
Organization Science, 1, 160–176. doi:10.1287/orsc.1.2.160

Roberts, K. H., & Bea, R. G. (2001). When systems fail. Organizational Dynamics, 29, 179. doi:10.1016/S0090-2616(01)00025-0

Shabot, M. M., Monroe, D., Inurria, J., Garbade, D., & France, A.-C. (2013). Memorial Hermann: High reliability from board to bedside. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 39, 253–257. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: Joint Commission Resources.

Weick, K., Sutcliffe, K., & Obstfeld, D. (1999). Organizing for high reliability: Process of collective mindfulness. Research in Organizational Behavior, 21, 81-124. Retrieved from http://politicsir.cass.anu.edu.au/staff/hart/pubs/46%20t%20Hart.pdf#page=37