Principles of risk management in community nursing

Risk is present in all aspects of practice. The changing nature of primary care means that community nurses will increasingly be expected to adopt roles that have traditionally been undertaken by other professionals and which may be associated with higher levels of risk. Although these developments offer opportunities to enhance patient care, nurses must also be aware of the implications for their own accountability. One way to embrace this accountability, and to meet the demands of clinical governance, is to engage in risk management. By adopting the principles of risk management nurses can act proactively to ensure they provide a high quality service that meets patient needs.