Essentials of clinical risk management.

Abstract

Aims of clinical risk management Risk management may broadly be defined as the reduction of harm to an organisation, by identifying and, as far as possible, eliminating risk. The aims of clinical risk management are (a) to reduce the frequency of adverse events and harm to patients, (b) to reduce the chance of a claim being made, and (c) to control the cost of claims that are made. The primary focus is on malpractice, which causes financial losses but also affects the reputation and morale of a trust and its staff. Clinical risk management also involves the continuing care of the injured patients and swift settlement of justified claims. Proper analysis of risk management reporting systems and an audit of clinical complaints also offer invaluable opportunity to improve quality in a way which is securely focused on the welfare of the patient. Improvement of quality must be the highest priority, for only by this means can the exposure to litigation finally be eliminated. 1 Dickson G. Principles of risk management. Quality in Health Care 1995;4:75-9. 2 NHS Management Executive. Risk management in the NHS. London: Department of Health, 1993. 3 Lord Donaldson. Foreword. In: Clements RV, ed. Safe practice in obstetics and gynaecology: a medicolegal handbook. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1994. 4 Marsden B. Funding clinical negligence claims in prevention and control of clinical negligence. Clinician in

Successful reduction of massive postpartum haemorrhage by use of guidelines and staff education

“…This observation is not entirely unexpected, as this has previously been identified as a cause for concern 3 . Greater focus on the evolving processes of clinical governance 6 and clinical risk management 7 has been advocated, and this approach in our study with stricter adherence to the guidelines has led to a reduction in the incidence of massive postpartum haemorrhage.…”

Acing the Joint Commission Regulatory Visit: Running an Effective and Compliant Safety Program

“…The philosophy of a gemba walk has been described as "go see, ask why, show respect," and this form of real-time assessment is used to evaluate several domains and processes (57,58). The technical functions of equipment can be assessed with inspections of engineering and local ventilation components, including suction devices, fire detectors, radioactive shielding, and disposal containers.…”

Managing clinical risk: the RCOG approach

“…Clements 6 suggests that, at the specialty level, the clinical director or head of service should take responsibility for CRM in order to ensure that the programme acquires weight, credibility and staff support. The specialty CRM lead should report at Trust level to the medical director who will feed into a group with responsibility for broader risk management encompassing financial and commercial aspects, security, fire, buildings, hazardous substances etc.…”