Risk management in nursing is an important aspect of healthcare provision. Risk management in the profession identifies ways in which a patient or caretaker can be harmed by risks associated with being in a health facility. Risks in these establishments are influenced both internally and externally. Anything in such a facility has the means to causes risks to both patients and nurses and also, other healthcare providers. The most risks that result in accidents in hospitals include manual lifting, carrying or pulling of items, Intravenous Needles and lines, the spread of pathogens among others.
The changing model of healthcare practiced around the world shows that nurses are becoming more responsible for managing risks associated with the profession, putting in place avoidance measures as well addressing the risks should they occur. That notion comes from the fact that they interact more with patients than other professionals in the healthcare industry. That is true, especially for hospitalized patients. After hospitalization, physicians and doctors roles are limited to ward visits and reviews of the patients, and perhaps surgery if necessary. The nurse is tasked with ensuring that the patient is comfortable, fed, and resting as best as he can, dressing any wounds, taking his medications and so on. The nurse is also required to undertake post-surgery care for the patients recuperating from surgery. That shows that a nurse’s functions are varied and more likely to end in risks, if not well managed. That shows that the nurses’ roles have evolved.
It is, therefore, necessary to ensure the proper risk management factors are put in place. Risk management among nurses should be taken seriously and should be made mandatory. Failure in implementing risk management can create health hazards that could easily harm or claim lives. It is the administration’s responsibility, together with that of the nurse to ensure that risk management among the nursing profession is taken seriously.
The Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is one of the ways in which risk management is implemented in the nursing profession. The mode allows practitioners to predict potential risks and problems, their effect and also, recommend their solutions as well as mitigation measures. It should be known that threats expose both the patient and the caregiver to preventable and avoidable illnesses or injuries. Therefore, the risk management should be double sided- factoring in the patient’s as well as the nurse’s health.
However, there have been concerns that the FMEA model is ineffective in health centers. There are people in the health industry claiming that is it not meant for the health profession and that it has been forced to work as risk management tool in this particular sector. There are also those that feel that FMEA is doing its intended duty within the profession. Notably, the conflict between the two groups has caused a stalemate that is yet to be addressed.
The analysis is structured to help benefit from a study of problems likely occur should a failure occur within a system. Components of the system are reviewed to ensure to identify possible system failures, their causes as well as effects. Risks are there in any job. However, the risks in nursing are more, of varying critical levels and present themselves daily. Through FMEA, nurses are more knowledgeable about the risks surrounding their profession and how to mitigate them safely. They should also be well equipped when dealing with the risks, preventing as many consequences as possible.
When developing a healthcare FMEA, the developers have to ensure that all professionals in a hospital are considered. That helps in ensuring that all possible risks in the facility are identified alongside their causative agents, effects on the establishment and those in it, prevention measures and even, solutions should the risks come alive. The FMEA provides a framework that guides professionals, among them nurses in undertaking the risk management function. It ensures that all workers and staff know their duty, probable risks, effects, and avoidance measures as well as solutions to the risks. Furthermore, FMEA provides that resources are at hand to deal with any risks should it be necessary.
Without the exercise, hospitals will be caught off guard when some of these risks occur. For instance, if Cholera-causing pathogens somehow make their way to a hospital unnoticed, it is likely that the result will be suffering among both the healthcare providers and patients. Before the outbreak is contained, some unlucky individuals may even have lost their lives to the disease. However, FMEA works by identifying such risks and their causes, then doing away with the causative agent altogether.
For that reason, nurses are required to be at hand, knowledgeable of their patient’s diseases, drugs and drug interaction, any possible allergies, and other necessary information. They should be keen on their activities when interacting with patients and dispensing their duties. A hospital is a major risk area where anything can go wrong when least expected. Being ready is a major requirement for any nurse as panics are likely to aggravate a situation and blow it out of proportion.
It will help to have these professionals attend a risk management course. That is because at least twice in their careers they are likely to witness a medical risk come into play. The level of seriousness of the risk does not matter; it may be a simple allergic reaction to some drugs, or even more dangerous risks that could easily result in losing a patient. The risk management training will provide hands-on experience that will come in handy during such times.
According to Sharpe (2010) nurses are required to refresh their skills in risk management regularly. The exercise ensures that they are prepared when a risk happens in real time. If a person experiences a risk without prior preparation, chances of panicking are very high. If a nurse panics; patients will follow, hence further escalating the problem. That would not only be unprofessional but also cause injuries among both nurses and the patients under their care. In today’s world, that should not be allowed to happen. Patients come to us seeking medical intervention. Therefore, unprofessional behavior when in the face of medical risks communicates that we are unsure about ourselves and the profession. If that were true, patients would have no reason to believe us or seek our services. We must, therefore, at all costs prevent the occurrence of these unfortunate incidents. Even more importantly, we must ensure that if faced by such risks, we remain calm and deal with the risk accordingly.
Therefore, FMEA is a necessary initiative that will come in handy when addressing risks within both the nursing and health profession. To think that FMEA is inactive and inefficient in the medical field is wrong. FMEA helps foresee risks before they happen, eliminate their causes and provide solutions for those that may happen. The model is helpful and will continue helping us mitigate the risks that come with this profession.
References
A, M. (2000). Guide to nursing management. St. Louise: Mosby Company.
Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead, (. o. (2008). Key concepts in nursing. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Sharpe, C. C. (2000). Nursing malpractice : liability and risk management. Westport, Conn.:
Auburn House.
Sullivan, E. J., & Garland, G. (2010). Practical leadership and management in nursing . New
York : Pearson.
