Planning for the
implementation of
clinical risk management
It is predicted that the full implementation
of clinical risk management in the NHS is
going to be very fast indeed. Undoubtedly,
it has the potential to produce masses of
extra paper work for all healthcare
professionals. The challenge for the
organisation will be to create a system in
which the demand for paper work is
proportional to its value in reducing risk.
Certain aspects of clinical risk
management have, however, already been
implemented.
Examples include:
1. Current use of incident report forms
in many NHS organisations with a
vertical reporting structure leading
up to the chief executive who takes
ultimate responsibility for risk
management.
2. Adherence to several legislative
standards, e.g. HSE “Reporting
injuries, diseases and dangerous
occurrences” (RIDDOR 1985) and
“Control of substances hazardous to
health” (COSHH 1990)13.
3. Use of assessment scales in clinical
practice, e.g. Snellen visual acuity,
Glasgow coma scales or Norton and
Waterloo scales for pressure sore
vulnerability in nursing.
4. Quality assurance in healthcare and
clinical audit programs.
5. Introduction of continuous
professional development and staff
appraisal.
6. Staff training and continuing
education requirements.
7. Production and publication of
various codes of ethics and clinical
practice guidelines.