Risk is anything that can result in an uncertain and unexpected loss. You can figure out the risk of any business or industry by reviewing, assessing and monitoring their business activities. If you talk about forms of risks, it is totally different in every industry. Firms from the financial industry focus on significant methods of enterprise risk management like diversifying the investments, & allocating the assets in the investment portfolio to mitigate business risks.
Nowadays however, there are many potential enterprise risks which can affect clinical safety and medical liabilities in the healthcare industry. These risks could be cyber threats, data loss, bad security protocols, performance scores, patient satisfaction, etc. When it comes to minimizing adverse impacts on clinical business objectives, methods of risk management in healthcare can help.
So, here we are, with this article, to highlight the importance of enterprise risk management in the healthcare sector.
Let’s have a look!
What is Healthcare Enterprise Risk Management?
Enterprise risk management in the healthcare sector refers to the consideration of all important risk management components that contribute to proper and effective functioning and operations of clinical and medical activities. In departments from IT staff, clinical staff, cyber & infrastructure units are associated with ERM techniques which helps them to identify, prioritize, and respond to risk. These risks can be internal or external conflicts that can impact medical liabilities, patients’ personal details, * other clinical activities. So, “ the critical process of recognizing, observing, analyzing and responding to risks in the healthcare sector is known as the health enterprise risk management process.
ERM in the healthcare sector is not just related to compliance, it is also important to assist organizations, clinics and healthcare providers to predict their next steps in business & remain competitive & one step ahead. It helps them to be financially viable and independent. Employment of risk management functions allow healthcare businesses to proactively and analytically safeguard patient safety, & keep organizational assets secure. In healthcare sector, ERM functions should be well-functioned and systematically implemented which provides a comprehensive chances to make risk management decisions & maximize value protection
Importance of ERM in Healthcare Sector
Enterprise Risk Management is necessary for any organization or industry to build supporting blocks like uncertainty management, organizational value protection, maintenance of progressive organizational culture, prioritizing data management, & aligning risk management strategy.
The following points will help you to understand the importance of ERM in the healthcare sector.
Clinical/Patient Safety
Risks are associated with delivering care to patients, residents, & other healthcare customers. These clinical risks include lack of evidence-based healthcare practices, data loss threats of patients’ loss, medication errors, traditional clinical methods, safety events, etc.
ERM functions help businesses to priorities their clinical activities and make the right decisions related to all comprehensive healthcare assistance.
Successful Operational Activities
Operations risk in hospitals and clinics are related to those risks resulting from inappropriate & ineffective management processes, failed operational strategies and outdated systems. These affect the management of staffing, documentation, data credentialing, adverse event management of clinical operations.
Implementation of enterprise risk management functions are important in healthcare because it helps the businesses and healthcare providers to deliver safe, efficient and timely patient-centered treatment solutions using diverse ERM strategies.
Human Capital Management
Human capital management is associated with staffing, & managing organizational workforce. Management risks in the healthcare sector include productivity, unskilled or semiskilled teams, employability, retention, lack of turnover, work compensation, negotiation and termination of members.
Successful ERM function allows healthcare practitioners to regulate work schedules & tasks effectively and help them to employ and manage the workforce without making wrong decisions. It reduces the flaws related to employee training, workforce management, etc. & enables better perspectives to manage employees’ data.
Technological Risk Management
Technological risks are related to technological failure, failed hardware management, outdated technologies, wear and tear of machines and equipment, etc. Use and implementation of outdated & traditional techniques and equipment might lead healthcare organizations towards technological failure. Due to lack of proper technologies create high risks to offer better clinical diagnosis and preservation.
Enterprise risk management functions help hospitals and individuals to execute modern technologies and equipment within the organizations for instance, they can include Risk Management Information Systems (RMIS) to identify the potential risks associated with patients, and clinicians. Use of electronic Health Records (EHR) helps to get meaningful information about the medical history of patients and offer the best diagnosis they deserve. ERM reduces the possibilities of cyber threats and personal data and information. It helps to increase the clients credibility and build the patients trust.
Closing Thoughts
Risk management is important for all types of organizations, but it’s especially important in health care as it is related to patient safety and medical care. Effective ERM covers complete asset management, business growth management, technological advancement, etc. Healthcare sector needs to focus on the legal/regulatory risks, human capital risks, technological risks and economical risks.
Implementing enterprise risk management for healthcare organizations helps to identify potential hazardous conflicts, & respond to them with efficient mandatory acts. ERM is significantly helpful to assist organizations, clinics and healthcare providers to predict their next steps in business & remain competitive & one step ahead.
