NR 544 Week 5 Risk Evaluation and Patient Safety

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-544: Quality & Safety in Healthcare

Prof. Name:

Date

Risk Evaluation and Patient Safety

Risk management in healthcare is a crucial process aimed at identifying potential threats that could endanger patients, staff, and the overall organization (Riskonnect, 2022). Unlike other industries, where financial or operational risks are primary concerns, healthcare risk management directly affects human lives. A failure to respond appropriately to risks can lead to serious consequences, including injury or loss of life among patients, employees, and visitors. Therefore, ensuring patient safety and protecting healthcare workers from harm should always be a top priority.

Introduction – Potential Risk

Hospitals, while meant to be safe spaces for healing, are increasingly becoming environments where violent incidents occur. Such incidents pose risks not only to patients but also to healthcare professionals, who are often the targets of attacks, harassment, and intimidation. Perpetrators of workplace violence in healthcare include patients, visitors, family members, vendors, and even current or former employees. Various factors contribute to workplace violence, including staff shortages, rising patient morbidities, exposure to violent individuals, and inadequate workplace violence prevention programs (CDC, 2022). To mitigate such risks, healthcare facilities must enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of violence—physical, verbal, or psychological—ensuring that offenders face disciplinary actions, including termination.

Risk Management Elements and Patient Safety Strategies

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), workplace violence is a serious threat to healthcare workers, with most injuries from workplace assaults occurring in healthcare and social service settings (OSHA, 2022). OSHA plays a critical role in regulating workplace violence prevention by enforcing the General Duty Clause and citing employers who fail to mitigate known hazards. Employers should evaluate risk factors such as understaffing and workplace roles that might expose employees to conflict. OSHA recommends that healthcare facilities implement a structured workplace violence prevention program that includes management commitment, employee participation, hazard prevention, training, and ongoing evaluations (Ross, 2020).

Table: Risk Evaluation and Patient Safety

Heading	Description
Potential Risks in Healthcare	Healthcare environments are at risk of violence from various sources, including patients, visitors, and employees. Factors such as staff shortages, patient morbidities, and lack of prevention policies contribute to workplace violence (CDC, 2022).
Risk Management and Safety Strategies	OSHA highlights that most workplace assaults happen in healthcare settings. Implementing workplace safety policies, enforcing zero-tolerance for violence, and conducting risk evaluations can help reduce incidents (OSHA, 2022).
Preventive Measures and Safety Planning	Effective strategies include staff training, improved workplace design, increased security, and reporting mechanisms to prevent violence against healthcare workers (Ross, 2020).

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Common reasons for workplace violence. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/WPVHC/Nurses/Course/Slide/Unit3_6.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2022). Guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf.