Respond to a post:
I chose a major health care facility to analyze based on risks. It is a dynamic facility with many different types of risks that can often mean life or death.
Opportunity-based – Opportunity risks may be defined as either a risk from a choice made about potential opportunities or how opportunities taken advantage of can bring about new risks. Some examples include.
- Opportunities to merge into or absorb other facilities to become a larger entity in the area which can cause many new risks such as:
- choosing an incorrect new location which causes over congestion, anger by local citizens over placement and more.
- Difficulties in merging various business documents and culture.
- Difficulties with payroll of various individuals that come from different entities. (Types of health care coverage, retirement packages, hourly and salary pay)
- Opportunities to open new wings to provide a new element of care.
- Hazards associated with integrating new systems, learning it with very to little experience, balancing bugdeting, making it profitable, hiring exceptional talent and more.
Uncertainty-based – risk that occur from uncertain or unknown events such as natural disasters, loss of suppliers, rogue individual violence and more.
- Uncertainty based has some crossover from hazards when hazards are uncertain. So I will only cover some hazards here that are the most uncertain.Uncertainties can include a massive influx of patients on a particular day. This may occur without any large scale emergency and be what we might call, an anomaly. This can also occur due to a large scale disaster or emergency. Either way, the uncertainty of when or how an influx of patients will overwhelm your systems, personnel and capabilities a hazard worth considering.
- Active shooters which choose the facility due to various potential reasons:
- They believe they received inadequate care
- Disgruntled employee
- Deranged person choosing a busy location randomly or with a deranged motivation.
- Many more unknowns.
- Earthquakes
- Causing critical damage to structure
- Causing massive power outages and damaging generators
- Injuring a critical number of personnel
- Active shooters which choose the facility due to various potential reasons:
Hazard-based – risk from dangerous materials or actions.
- Release of hazardous chemicals in the form of poisonous, combustible, flammable and biological. Oxygen tanks, people ill with infectious disease, improper disposal of sharps and other contaminates, improper care of a MRI stations (powerful magnets) and other hazards have the potential to lead to death in large numbers.
- A physician performing their duties under the influence as a result of taken a call when they shouldn’t, having a long term problem with substance abuse or other reasons.
- Individuals on certain wards that can become violent and injure staff and other patients and damage equipment and property.
Compliance-based
- Malpractice suits against the facility due to either an incorrect account by the patient or a critical mistake by the physician.
- Violation of health codes for cleanliness, proper disposal of contaminates and more.
- Physicians and nurses working over the state or federal limit for hours in a row, in 24 hours, in a week and more.
Expert Solution Preview
The major health care facility described in the post faces various types of risks that can have significant impacts on the lives of patients and the overall operation of the facility. The risks can be categorized into four broad categories: opportunity-based, uncertainty-based, hazard-based, and compliance-based.
Opportunity-based risks arise from the choices made about potential opportunities or from taking advantage of opportunities that can bring about new risks. In the context of the health care facility, examples of opportunity-based risks include the decision to merge or absorb other facilities and the opportunity to open new wings to provide additional care. These opportunities can lead to risks such as choosing an incorrect location for the merger, difficulties in merging business documents and culture, and challenges related to payroll management for employees from different entities. Opening new wings can introduce hazards associated with integrating new systems, hiring and retaining talented staff, and ensuring profitability.
Uncertainty-based risks stem from uncertain or unknown events and can include natural disasters, loss of suppliers, and occurrence of violence by rogue individuals. In the case of the health care facility, uncertainty-based risks may manifest as a massive influx of patients on a particular day, which can overwhelm the systems, personnel, and capabilities of the facility. This influx of patients can occur without any large-scale emergency or as a result of a disaster or emergency. Additionally, the facility may face uncertain risks related to violent incidents, such as active shooters who target the facility for various reasons.
Hazard-based risks arise from dangerous materials or actions within the facility. Examples of hazard-based risks in the health care setting include the release of hazardous chemicals, improper disposal of sharps and other contaminants, and the improper care of MRI stations and other equipment. These hazards have the potential to cause severe harm and even death to a large number of individuals. Additionally, risks can arise from healthcare professionals performing their duties under the influence of substances due to substance abuse or other reasons. There is also a risk of violence from certain patients in specific wards, which can harm staff, patients, and damage equipment and property.
Compliance-based risks involve the violation of rules, regulations, or standards that govern the operation of the health care facility. Examples include malpractice suits against the facility, violations of health codes for cleanliness and proper disposal of contaminants, and healthcare professionals working over the recommended limits for hours in a row, within a 24-hour period, or in a week.
In conclusion, the major health care facility chosen for analysis in terms of risks faces a range of threats that can have life or death consequences. The risks fall into four main categories: opportunity-based, uncertainty-based, hazard-based, and compliance-based. Understanding and effectively managing these risks is crucial for the facility to ensure the safety of patients, personnel, and the overall operation of the organization.
