Read The Following Scenario And Respond To It As A Risk Mana ✓ Solved

Read The Following Scenario And Respond To It As a Risk Managermr An

Read the following scenario and respond to it as a risk manager. Mr. and Mrs. Watros came to Memorial Hospital for the delivery of their first child. While Mrs. Watros was in labor, the couple had to wait nearly two hours to get a room. During that time, no hospital nurse attended to her. As the waiting room was full of patients, an exhausted Mrs. Watros sat on the floor. Mr. Watros reported this to a nurse. The nurse responded that it was past her shift, and she could do nothing. These problems were later reported to a physician. The physician said, “It is just the way things go wrong here sometimes. You just have to get used to it." After delivery, the nurse carrying the infant slipped. The baby was unharmed. The explanation given was, “there was disinfectant fluid on the floor, which makes the floor a little slippery." On discharge, Mr. and Mrs. Watros decided to sue the hospital. The physician admitted negligence and poor treatment, but did not see a reason to apologize. Put yourself in the position of all the people involved (as well as the hospital), and describe what could have been done differently. Your focus as a Risk Manager is prevention, and your analysis should be directed at preventing the initial action as well as reactions. To support your work, use your course and textbook readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The scenario at Memorial Hospital involving prolonged wait times, poor communication, and safety hazards underscores critical risk management failures. As a risk manager, focusing on proactive measures to prevent such incidents is vital to improve patient safety, staff response, and overall quality of care. Effective risk mitigation requires systemic changes, staff training, environmental controls, and communication protocols aimed at preventing initial risk factors and ensuring swift, appropriate reactions when issues occur.

Analysis of Initial Incidents and Preventive Strategies

The prolonged wait time experienced by Mrs. Watros highlights deficiencies in patient flow management and resource allocation. Implementing advanced scheduling systems and triage protocols can optimize patient throughput, reducing wait times and patient frustration (Kohn, Corrigan, & Donaldson, 2000). Additionally, establishing clear policies for patient monitoring during wait periods can help address patient needs proactively, preventing deterioration of patient condition and dissatisfaction.

Regarding the lack of nursing attention, staffing adequacy and shift management are crucial. A contingency staffing plan could ensure that nurses cover for colleagues on break or shift change, maintaining continuous patient care (Reason, 2000). Cross-training staff to handle patient needs during shift transitions can also prevent gaps in service and reduce the likelihood of patients being left unattended, especially in high-acuity zones like labor and delivery.

Another key issue was the dismissive attitude of the physician, which reflects poor communication and a lack of patient-centered care. Implementing standardized communication training emphasizing empathy and professionalism can foster better interactions with patients (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2011). Cultivating a safety culture that encourages staff to escalate concerns without fear of retribution can enhance responsiveness.

The slippery floor caused by disinfectant fluid represents environmental hazards that could have been mitigated through routine environmental safety checks and protocols. Regular facility inspections and prompt cleaning procedures, coupled with clear signage warning of hazards, are standard practices to prevent slips and falls (Flores et al., 2013).

Finally, the nurse's slip while carrying the infant indicates the need for staff safety protocols, such as using appropriate equipment or assistance when transporting infants. Ensuring that floors are dry and establishing procedures to alert staff of wet or hazardous areas are critical environmental controls.

Reactions and Response Planning

When adverse events occur, a prompt and structured response is essential. Developing an incident reporting system that encourages staff to document hazards and incidents can facilitate immediate corrective actions and prevent recurrence (Joint Commission, 2015). In this scenario, better communication channels between staff and management should be in place to escalate concerns swiftly, avoiding dismissive responses.

In terms of blaming and accountability, fostering an organizational culture focused on learning from errors rather than assigning blame encourages staff to report issues without fear, thereby reducing future risks (Leape & Berwick, 2005). When incidents happen, transparent communication with patients about the causes and corrective steps demonstrates honesty and enhances trust.

Regarding liability and legal implications, hospitals must ensure that staff adhere to standard operating procedures and are adequately trained to handle emergency situations. Documentation of staff training and adherence can serve as evidence of due diligence should legal actions arise.

Recommendations for Improvement

1. Implement better patient flow and resource management systems.

2. Ensure adequate staffing with contingency plans.

3. Enhance communication skills and promote a culture of openness.

4. Establish and enforce environmental safety protocols.

5. Develop comprehensive incident reporting and response procedures.

6. Invest in staff training on patient safety and risk management.

7. Conduct regular safety audits and facility inspections.

8. Promote a non-punitive approach to error reporting.

9. Engage patients and families in safety initiatives.

10. Review incident data regularly to identify patterns and areas for improvement.

Conclusion

The incident at Memorial Hospital exposes vulnerabilities in patient management, staff communication, and environmental safety. As a risk manager, adopting proactive approaches such as better staffing, environmental controls, effective communication, and a culture of safety can significantly reduce the likelihood of such adverse events. Continuous monitoring, staff education, and patient engagement are essential pillars of an effective risk management program that prioritizes patient safety and quality healthcare delivery.

References

Flores, S., Silva, S., Clark, W., & Sethi, S. (2013). Environmental safety in healthcare settings. Journal of Patient Safety, 9(4), 153–160.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2011). Patient-centered care. IHI.

Joint Commission. (2015). Sentinel event policy. The Joint Commission.

Kohn, L. T., Corrigan, J. M., & Donaldson, M. S. (Eds.). (2000). To err is human: Building a safer health system. National Academy Press.

Leape, L. L., & Berwick, D. M. (2005). Five years after To Err Is Human: What have we learned? JAMA, 293(3), 2381–2384.

Reason, J. (2000). Human error: Models and management. BMJ, 320(7237), 768–770.