[Risk management in the emergency department : example of a pragmatic tool]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Risk Assessment

Context:

• Clinical practice inherently involves risks, particularly within emergency departments.
• Effective clinical risk management strategies are crucial for maintaining high standards of care.
• Various risk management methodologies exist, offering different approaches to identifying and mitigating potential hazards.

Purpose:

• To introduce and discuss the Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) as a robust risk management tool.
• To demonstrate the practical application of FMECA within a hospital setting to improve safety protocols.
• To highlight the importance of systematic risk assessment in clinical environments.

Summary:

• The Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) method evaluates risks based on frequency, severity, and detectability.
• This systematic approach was applied to the short-term hospitalization unit at Neuchâtel Hospital.
• The implementation aimed to enhance departmental practices and overall patient safety.

Impact:

• Improved understanding and application of FMECA in clinical settings.
• Enhanced patient safety through proactive risk identification and mitigation.
• Strengthened clinical practices within hospital departments, serving as a model for others.