Healthcare Quality - Risk Management

Risk Management

University of Phoenix

Health Care Quality Management and Outcomes Analysis

HCS/451

Risk Management

According to Corvelle (2009), the use of risk management can be viewed as an indicator of “good corporate governance”, whereas the lack of any risk management initiative can be seen as a risk in and of itself. In the Air Force, risk management is typically referred to as Operational Risk Management (ORM). The goal of risk management is to reduce on the job risks related to, in support of, or impacting a mission-essential task. ORM is not the elimination of risk, but rather, is used to enhance mission effectiveness, while protecting assets and safeguarding military members. ORM consists of six steps:

1. Identify the hazards

2. Assess the risks

3. Analyze control measures

4. Make control decisions

5. Implement controls

6. Supervise and review effectiveness

Operational Risk Management can be applied to every component of the military, including the provision of healthcare services and should be included in the strategic vision of any organization. The military health care community is faced with a unique challenge as there is always an inherent risk present in military operations. A well-implemented risk management program can result in improved availability for contingency response, increased operational capabilities, and reduced costs associated with preventable risk (McMillan, 2005).

In the aftermath of September 11th, the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) must rethink it perspective on readiness. “Prior to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the fact that the United States had suffered relatively few friendly casualties in recent conflicts (e.g., the Gulf War and Kosovo) may have created the impression that we could fight relatively unscathed” (Dougherty, 2001, para. 1). Medics must re-evaluate their wartime roles and be prepared to provide in a variety of scenarios. Deployment operations have shifted and now are...