Healthcare Risks
Name
Institution
Date
Healthcare Risk Management
Serious unfavorable incidents that happen in health care facilities classify as one of the top causes of preventable deaths in the US. Most states have reporting systems responsible for monitoring and publicly reporting key adverse incidents, as subgroup categorized under Medicare’s HACs (Hospital Acquired Conditions). CMS (Center-for-Medicare-and-Medicaid Services) provides various HCAPs that are seen to be new standards of care for particular illnesses and also various diagnoses. If patients are released to go home and not given necessary education, care, or follow-ups, and they need to go back to the hospital for re-admittance within thirty days, the health care facility shall expect no additional payment for the second admission (Furrow, 2011).
Most healthcare organizations have put in place actions meant to impede such incidents from occurring and losing reimbursements. First, some facilities have provided an opportunity for self-care among nurse professionals by ensuring that they get enough rest, exercise, eat properly, and mental and spiritual fitness. Through this provision, nurses and other healthcare specialists are more motivated to provide the best care possible. This includes providing adequate education to patients, after-care, and follow-ups to reduce cases of readmissions due to HACs. Secondly, most organizations have adhered to evidence-based medicine to improve the quality of their care (Berwick, 2011). Thirdly, many have put in place EHRs (electronic health records) to bed-side monitors as well as medical devices. Connecting the systems to various medical equipment is an essential step towards impeding avoidable infections. Also, most healthcare facilities ensure that ICU and ED patients are moved with immediate effect when necessary to reduce the risk of contracting other infections. Basically, putting all these measures in place guarantees not only healthcare organizations reimbursements but also improves the efficiency of care for patients (West & Eng, 2014).
References
Berwick, D. D. (2011). Re: CMS-2400-P: Medicaid Program; Payment Adjustment for Provider-Preventable Conditions, Including Health Care-Acquired Conditions.
Furrow, B. R. (2011). Adverse events and patient injury: coupling detection, disclosure, and compensation. New Eng. L. Rev., 46, 437.
West, N., & Eng, T. (2014). Monitoring and reporting hospital-acquired conditions: a federalist approach. Medicare & Medicaid research review, 4(4).