Risk Management And Patient Safety Final Project

Introduction

A sixty-eight year old patient severely ill, dies two days after the fall she had on her bathroom door. The family thinks that it occurred just because of the negligence shown by home assisted physical therapy assistant (PTA). Whereas, the employer of PTA inquired properly about her and the evaluation about the PTA just went fine, hence there remained no chance for her termination. Later the husband of that patient sued the home-health service agency which provided PTA. Regardless of the fact that the lady was chronically ill and used slides for moving between bed and washroom, the negligence on the part of the PTA should not be forgivable. The following paper will analyze the reasons behind such malfunctioning and will propose the risk management recommendations regarding the patient’s safety and security.

Suggested Resolution

According to the healthcare professionals, nobody would have supported the therapy which defendant PTA was providing to the patient. The negligence of PTA can be assessed in the following areas:

She did not notify the head therapist about the uneven surfaced walls

She also did not inform the therapist about her decision of moving the patient by wall sliding exercise to the bathroom door

These decisions were outside the scope of PTA’s practice

Failure in notifying the head therapist about the request and concerns made by the patient’s daughter regarding the exercise of wall slide

The PTA failed in many areas regarding the healthcare of the patient, thus suggested resolution goes for proceeding towards mediation or settlement for which jury is selected. Furthermore, it was not a good step to leave the patient alone when the patient is a needy one. If she was not able to reach patient’s family members and her stay was not possible, she should’ve informed her employer or head therapist about it, so that they would have arranged someone in her place.

Risk Management Recommendations

Following are the recommendations which are to be provided regarding the risk management:

Practicing and knowing the scope which is specific to the area of practice and standard care.

Evaluate the security of the physical condition in connection to the patient's condition and treatment needs preceding each treatment.

Cease any treatment esteemed to introduce a danger to the patient and contact the directing physical advisor as well as doctor to make essential acclimations to the treatment routine.

Immediately report and archive any patient fall, damage or antagonistic occasion and stay with the patient until medicinal help arrives and transports the patient, gives direct treatment or pronounces the patient isn't harmed.

Document all refusals of prescribed consideration and treatment and request that the patient sign that they reject treatment and are mindful of the dangers of that refusal. In the event that observers to the patient's refusal are available, archive their names and contact data for future reference.

Document all communications with the patient, approved relatives and expert staff.

Document all endeavors to get supervision for a patient who has been harmed however who rejects treatment understanding that it might be important to stay with the patient until an elective individual can be found.

Conclusion

Risk management is significant for the standard practices of healthcare professionals. These activities generally include the evaluation and identification of the potential risks. Moreover, it requires the implementation of the methods which are best suited for eliminating or at least reducing the risks. A management plan with good strategies will help in achieving the betterment with rapid pace. Negligence on behalf of a health worker is not at all bearable and it should be taken care of.