Swiss Cheese Model

It may not always be necessary to prevent errors at all the phases simultaneously, to prevent a fatal medical error.
This is best explained by a time tested management model that has long been used by the aviation industry and other emergency services. It is known as the Swiss Cheese Model. Its applications in the health-care industry has brought to light important concepts in medication error prevention.

According to the Swiss - Cheese Model, every industry has a defense system. These defenses are represented by the slices of cheese. The weaknesses in these defenses are represented by the holes in these slices of cheese. When these weaknesses (holes) momentarily allign themselves, they permit a fatal error to occur. Thus a fatal error can be prevented to a certain extent by preventing the errors at various phases.