Risk Management Tools and Decision-Making Worksheet
Part A: Risk Management Tools
Complete the table below.
Risk Management Tool | Describe how the tool is used. |
Part B: Risk Management Decisions
Review the following scenarios.
Scenario 1
A patient arrives at the Emergency Department and is admitted for increased pain with the source unknown. The on call physician asks the intake staff, “What is the source of payment for the patient” in order to assist with his decision to see the patient or not. The physician then declines to see the patient based on the insurance status.
Scenario 2
A patient is admitted to the medical floor in a health care facility. She is confused and won’t stay in her bed. The patient is placed in a room at the end of the hall away from the nurse’s station and she is not easily seen by staff. The patient continues to get out of bed without using her call light and eventually falls resulting in an injury.
Write a 75-150- word response to each of the following questions based on the scenarios presented. Be clear and concise, use complete sentences, and use your own words. Follow standard grammar rules and provide examples where appropriate to support your answers.
- What is the risk management issue presented in each scenario?
- What do you propose to resolve the issues? Explain your answer.
- What challenges do you foresee with the propose solutions?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: This assignment is designed for medical college students to develop an understanding of various risk management tools and decisions. It includes a table to complete on risk management tools and two scenarios to analyze and propose solutions for risk management issues.
1. What is the risk management issue presented in each scenario?
In scenario 1, the risk management issue is related to discrimination based on insurance status, which is not acceptable and can be a potential legal and ethical issue. In scenario 2, the risk management issue is related to patient safety, where proper patient monitoring was not ensured, leading to patient harm.
2. What do you propose to resolve the issues? Explain your answer.
To resolve the discrimination issue in scenario 1, policies and procedures should be established and enforced to ensure that all patients receive equal access to healthcare services, regardless of their insurance status. Physicians should be educated on these policies, and regular audits can be conducted to identify any violations. In scenario 2, patient safety can be ensured by implementing several measures, such as ensuring regular patient monitoring, placing patients with cognitive impairments near the nurse’s station, and ensuring access to call lights. Staff should be properly trained and educated about these measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
3. What challenges do you foresee with the proposed solutions?
One challenge is ensuring that the established policies and procedures are being followed consistently. Physicians and staff may require additional training or reminders to ensure that they do not discriminate based on insurance status. In scenario 2, it may be difficult to ensure proper patient monitoring and use of call lights, especially in busy healthcare facilities with limited resources. Staff may also require additional training to identify and manage patients with cognitive impairments to ensure patient safety.
Cite your sources below if applicable.
