September / October 2009

Risk Management & Patient Safety

Efforts to improve patient safety have intensified over the last decade, acting as a strong catalyst for change in the structure and daily work of hospitals. In particular, improving safety often means fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals and disrupting the traditional silos within which many established professions, including risk management, have worked comfortably for years. As those silos have been giving way to new models, the responsibilities of risk management have evolved to include proactive efforts to prevent patient harm, collaborative efforts to address system-based deficiencies that may lead to adverse events, and open communication with patients and families when things go wrong. Some hospitals recognize further that providing patients with safe, high-quality care is fundamental to protecting the financial assets of the institution and, therefore, falls within risk management’s role. In this new landscape, risk management and patient safety professionals are engaged in a close working relationship, which may be characterized by smooth integration, wary cooperation, or conflict.

For this issue of Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare, we asked professionals in risk management and related positions to reflect on their roles in patient safety and to report on the dynamics they see among their colleagues in risk, safety, and quality. This collection of essays — which continues at www.psqh.com — reveals their complex work environments, thoughtful approach, and professional dedication. Thank you to all who contributed!