[The implementation of risk management in a department of otolaryngology]

The reasons for introducing risk management in hospitals are manifold. Not only legal but also ethical and moral aspects are of great importance.The implementation of risk management in a German department of otolaryngology is presented. Although various instruments were introduced, the main emphasis was placed on the establishment of a risk management team with the aim of prospectively and retrospectively addressing critical situations in hospital operation management and also with the goal of achieving a change of attitude towards mistakes, complications and damages in the clinic.Many aspects of the in-house processes were critically analyzed and optimization strategies were developed such as the introduction of checklists for preoperative patient identification. Furthermore the implemented CIRS has been well accepted.A meaningful objectivity of the results seems difficult. A main reason is that the index "reduction of damage and medical malpractice" is too small to make a conclusive statistical analysis. However, implementation of risk management is advisable for every ENT clinic.