Risk Management and Patient Safety

Risk Management and Patient Safety

Risk management is described as “a program directed toward identifying, evaluating,

and taking corrective action against potential risks that could lead to injury (Shannon &

Decker, 2009). Medication errors remain one of the most frequent problems that put patients at

risk in healthcare (Joint Commission, 2009). In 2005 The Joint Commission issued The National

Patient Safety Goals of which medication reconciliation is one of the mandatory requirements for

recertification. Since this goal was instituted many organizations have continued to struggle with

development and implementation of effective processes to meet the goal (Shannon & Decker,

2009).

Risk is a condition of life and is noted and measured and addressed in all human

endeavors. Risk is encountered in financial matters, health matters, safety issues, and the

workplace. Risk cannot always be predicted precisely, but risk management is an effort to

ascertain risks and to prepare for them in the health organization. All human action involves a

degree of risk, and managing that risk begins with identifying what the risk may be in each case.

Once this has been done, the next task involves deciding what to do about it, through a process of

risk mitigation or risk reduction. The risk may also be transferred, such as takes place when a

person or company buys insurance, an act which does not prevent the harmful outcome but

which does compensate for it.

At the end of the day, protecting your patients, staff, and organization from risk is your

top goal. Each department has to be proactive and reaction when it comes on to patients safety.

There has to be collaboration among department in order to minimize risk and protect the life of

people.

Shannon & Decker,(2009). Risk Management in Health Care Organization.