Risk management in obstetrics

Abstract 

Risk management is a vital tool in preventing repetition of errors which are costly to patients, staff and institutions. If risk management is used appropriately, faults in the system can be eliminated before they cause an event, or to prevent event recurrence. With detailed analysis of incidents (using tools such as root cause analysis) the fault in the system (rather that the individual) can be identified and rectified.

The evolution of risk management (and its development from industry to the health sector) in the UK is described. The cost to the health service is explored and methods of analysing risk are discussed (including risk registers). There is a description of the elements that are reviewed in a Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts assessment. There is also a worked example of a clinical incident, its analysis and the solutions recommended.

Keywords: audit, clinical governance, CNST, NPSA, risk management, root cause analysis, training