NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 4
Risk Mitigation Plan
A risk mitigation plan systematically identifies the potential risks, evaluates the probability and impact, and defines action to be taken to reduce its impact on patients, practitioners, and organizations (Pascarella et al., 2021). For instance, if the SAFER Guide assessment reveals that there are many data entry errors in an EHR system, which can cause medication errors, then the mitigation plan could include staff training on EHR workflows, implementing system alerts for high-risk entries, and periodic audits to monitor compliance. NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 4 Therefore, by eliminating these risks, the plan will significantly improve patient safety, regulatory compliance, and enhance organizational performance and provide a safer environment and health care environment.
Risk Management Plan
| Risk identified by SAFER Guides | Possibility of Occurrence (Frequent, Sometimes, Never) | Potential for Harm (Severe, Mild, None) | Mitigation to Address Risks | Possibility of Occurrence (Frequent, Sometimes, Never) | Potential for Harm (Severe, Mild, None) |
| Inaccurate data entry in the EHR system | Frequent | Severe | Implement regular training for staff on data entry protocols. Utilize system alerts for high-risk entries. | Sometimes | Mild |
| Insufficient access controls in EHR | Sometimes | Severe | Enforce stricter user authentication processes and periodic audits of access logs. | Never | None |
| Sometimes | Mild | Increase staff education on safety protocols through workshops and daily briefings. | Sometimes | Mild |
Ethical or Legal Issues Related to Identified Risks
Identified risks in healthcare settings can give rise to critical ethical and legal issues that directly impact patient safety, practitioner responsibilities, and organizational integrity. Where risk factors are not addressed properly, the consequences can be as low as affecting a patient’s life such as affecting the law liabilities of health service providers, thus compromising trust and quality care delivered.
One of the significant ethical issues that may arise with the risk of inaccurate data entry in EHR systems is the possibility of medication errors, misdiagnosis, or delayed treatment (Dixit et al., 2023). Inappropriate care decisions can be made based on incorrect or missing information, which can jeopardize patient safety and violate the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. Ethically, there is a requirement for the providers of healthcare services to not harm and, therefore, ensure that the best interest of patients is served while using data-based information in their clinical decisions. If such risks are not curbed through adequate staff training and technology safeguards, patients may become victims of resultant harm, contrary to the central ethical obligations imposed on care providers.
Health organizations are further held legally accountable for various laws such as HIPAA and the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA). An organization failing to act on identified risks, for instance, inaccuracies in data or weaknesses in access controls, might expose itself to lawsuits for negligence when patients have suffered (Moukalled & Elhaj, 2021). For instance, in case data entry errors cause wrong medication dosages to be administered, the healthcare facility would be legally responsible for the adverse consequences, which could include malpractice lawsuits. Legal accountability mandates healthcare organizations to have strict data quality controls, and secure systems, and to take swift action on identified risks.
Another ethical issue is associated with inadequate access controls in EHR. Poor protection of patient information may lead to unauthorized access and potential breaches of confidentiality of the patient. In this case, the ethical principle of respect for patient autonomy is directly violated by the disclosure of patients’ personal health information without their consent. Further, unauthorized access undermines trust between patients and providers, which is necessary for proper care delivery. Failure to protect patient data also has legal implications since institutions are mandated by law to adhere to data privacy standards like HIPAA. Failure to put in place access control measures may lead to legal consequences, loss of reputation, and loss of patients’ trust.
In this regard, ethical issues associated with patient harm would occur due to inadequate staff awareness of safety protocols. In the context of healthcare, individuals are ethically bound to know what they do and ensure their actions do not harm patients. If the employees are not well aware of infection control measures and other safety procedures, then the chances of avoidable harm are much higher. In addition, the principle of justice can be breached insofar as some patients are disproportionately harmed due to systemic errors in safety training or enforcement. Healthcare facility sanctions, such as fines, may be imposed for a lack of proper education and training that led to patient harm.
Such failures in identifying and mitigating risks and addressing these risks in the healthcare setting raise not only ethical dilemmas about the care for patients but also create significant legal challenges for an organization. Consequently, a proactive approach to managing risk, involving the implementation of proper safeguards, would be key in sustaining patient safety as well as ensuring the integrity of healthcare organizations.
