Which practice is described as assessing deviations in care and analyzing potential wrongdoing to reduce hospital litigation risk?

Which practice is described as assessing deviations in care and analyzing potential wrongdoing to reduce hospital litigation risk?

• A. Risk management
• B. Quality improvement
• C. Patient advocacy
• D. Utilization review

Answer: (A)

Risk management is the practice that concentrates on identifying deviations in care, investigating possible wrongdoing, and reducing the hospital’s risk of litigation. It involves reviewing adverse events and near-misses, conducting root cause analyses, and putting in place corrective actions to prevent recurrence. By focusing on systemic issues, documentation improvements, and staff education, it aims to lower legal exposure while boosting patient safety. This differs from quality improvement, which centers on enhancing how care is delivered and outcomes; utilization review, which assesses whether services are medically necessary or appropriately used; and patient advocacy, which focuses on protecting and promoting patients’ rights and interests.

Risk management is the practice that concentrates on identifying deviations in care, investigating possible wrongdoing, and reducing the hospital’s risk of litigation. It involves reviewing adverse events and near-misses, conducting root cause analyses, and putting in place corrective actions to prevent recurrence. By focusing on systemic issues, documentation improvements, and staff education, it aims to lower legal exposure while boosting patient safety. This differs from quality improvement, which centers on enhancing how care is delivered and outcomes; utilization review, which assesses whether services are medically necessary or appropriately used; and patient advocacy, which focuses on protecting and promoting patients’ rights and interests.