Risk Management explained

Sometimes there are mishaps in clinical care leading to patients being harmed at your clinic. What's important is for the clinic to have a policy and set of procedures in place before the events to ensure all staff act accordingly in a circumstance.

Most clinics have informal processes and methods of trying to prevent slips, lapses and mistakes.

Part of the quality improvement process is having a consistent clinical risk management system so that the causes of errors, slips, lapses and mistakes are identified and process improved to decrease the likelihood of them occurring again.

The key principles of Risk Management:

Logical and systematic approach to implementing steps.

Best if embedded in philosophy, practices and business processes rather than separate activity or focus.

Clincial Risk Management (CRM) is concerned with the detection, monitoring, prevention and early management of adverse events.

An adverse event is an untoward patient event which under optimal conditions is not a national consequence of the patients disease or treatment.

Avant

• » http://www.avant.org.au

Medical Indemnity Protection Society

• » http://www.mips.com.au

The Medical Insurance Group (MIGA)

• » http://www.miga.com.au

MDA National

• » http://www.mdanational.com.au

Worksafe website

• » http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

MDA National -Practice Self Assessment Checklist

This checklist is a simple list of key issues that you should consider when undertaking a risk assessment in your practice.

• » http://www.mdanational.com.au/risk-management/practice-self-assessment.aspx

Victorian Government Health Information -Clinical Risk Management

Risk Watch Newsletter

The newsletter support evidence based best clinical practice to ensure that patient safety is our first priority.

• » http://www.health.vic.gov.au/clinrisk/publications/riskwatch.htm

Medical Idemnity Protection Society Limitd (MIPS)

• » http://www.mips.com.au

Interactive Risk Management (IRM) Program provided by Medical Insurance Group (MIG)

The IRM Program is an education program providing members with an opportunity to undertake activities aimed at identifying and decreasing the risks associated with medical practice.

Training available on line and CPD points can be accrued

• » http://www.miga.com.au/content.aspx?p=89

Clin ED-Collaborative online learning for medical and allied health professionals

Clin ED activities are formally accredited with professional bodies (whenever appropriate) peer reviewed and evidence based.  On line training is available for GPs, Practice nurses and Practice Managers.

• » http://www.clined.com.au/activities/general-practitioners

Example 1

It could be as unexpected and unpredictable as the destruction or damage of the clinic due to natural disasters including wildfire and flooding

Example 2

The wiping of all your computer files whcih house important medical information

Example 3

An injury to a patient following a fall after slipping on a slippery floor

Example 4

The Principal/Solo GP becomes ill and is no longer able to work.  Who will cover his/her patient load?

Example 5

Trainee staff either GPs or practice staff are unaware of existing procedures and protocols for example are aware that it is routine for patients to be informed of satisfactory test results and are to be phoned in the event that results are unsatisfactory.

Example Risk Management Strategy

• » Example Risk Management Strategy (DOC - 100.35 kB)