An experience in integrated management of clinical risks

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Risk Management
• Hospital Operations

Background:

• Focuses on managing clinical risks within the British United Provident Association (BUPA) organization using an integrated risk management model.
• The study specifically examines hospital operations in Europe and Latin America (ELA) within BUPA's international healthcare services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate an integrated risk management model for clinical risks in a hospital setting.
• To assess the effectiveness of risk identification, evaluation, and management processes against established standards.

Main Methods:

• Developed an integrated risk management model encompassing governance, framework, and continuous risk processes (identification, evaluation, management, monitoring, reporting).
• Created a catalog of 126 potential clinical risks, referencing Joint Commission International (JCI) standards, and applied it to hospital activities.
• Evaluated risks based on impact and probability, determining necessary actions and control effectiveness for inherent and residual risk levels.

Main Results:

• The risk catalog identified 126 risks and 479 controls across various hospital areas.
• Inherent risk assessment revealed 84% of risks were at acceptable levels.
• Action plans were required for the remaining 16% of identified risks.

Conclusions:

• Implementing an integrated clinical risk management system helps meet legal requirements and good practice standards (e.g., JCI).
• The system improved organizational efficiency in resource allocation for risk management and environmental/patient adaptation.
• This strategy supports enhanced decision-making and fosters organizational transformation capacity.