Risk management

In the dynamic world of healthcare, managing risk and handling incidents efficiently is not just important, it is crucial for organisations to safeguard their operations and maintain the highest level of quality in their services.

Why does risk and incident management matter in healthcare?

Improving patient safety

The primary goal of healthcare is to provide safe and effective care to patients. Effective risk and incident management ensures that the safety of patients is prioritised. By identifying and addressing potential risks before they manifest as actual problems, healthcare organisations can prevent harm and improve outcomes for patients.

Regulatory Compliance

Healthcare is one of the most heavily regulated industries. Organisations must comply with a myriad of rules and standards such as designed to ensure safe and ethical practice. For example, the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) asks organisations to demonstrate how a risk management approach is used to and maintain the currency and effectiveness of policies, monitor and take action to improve adherence to policies, and review compliance with legislation, regulation and jurisdictional requirements. While guidelines such as ISO 31000 Risk Management provide a structured methodology to analyse potential risks, evaluate their potential consequences, and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. Effective risk management helps these organisations stay on the right side of the law, avoiding legal consequences and penalties.

Continuous Improvement

Every incident provides an opportunity to learn and improve. Analysing what went wrong and why allows healthcare organisations to make changes that prevent future occurrences. This culture of continuous improvement drives better healthcare outcomes and operational efficiency.