Understanding risk management is important to running a successful nursing home while making residents feel at ease. The unique challenges of long-term care, the demands of the care profession, and the sensitive nature of the job require constant emphasis on risk management. In many ways, this focus separates successful nursing care facilities from the rest.
Much of the responsibility of developing a risk management program falls on the nursing home administrator. All staff members should be aware of the best industry practices for minimizing and mitigating risk in the long-term care environment.
Risk management Guidelines and Implementation
Here are some general tips on managing risks in a nursing home:
Designate a qualified staff member to oversee risk management.
This person will be in charge of implementing and managing the facility’s risk management program. Additionally, they will also be part of the Risk Management and Quality Assurance Committee, which should meet at least once a month.
Access Resident Care Policies and Procedures
Periodic assessment and reviews of care practices will help identify problem areas and critical areas for improvement. Likewise, it is best to examine the nursing home’s quality indicators thoroughly.
Investigate and Analyze Adverse Incidents
All incidents involving resident injuries need investigation. Also, reports should include the frequency and causes of these events.
Analyze Resident Complaints
Nursing home officials must make a concerted effort to analyze all grievances related to care and service quality. Then, they can access the situation and determine if the grievance holds weight.
Implement Abuse Prevention Measures
There should be a company-wide policy for preventing resident abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Thus, it would help everyone understand what not to do.
Develop Measures to Minimize Harm
The risk management officer should oversee the development of procedures that reduce the risk of harm or injury to residents. Then, he should analyze them and the employees to ensure that they are following them.
Evaluate Risk Prevention Measures
Risk prevention and loss control strategies should be subject to periodic review and evaluation to determine their effectiveness. Likewise, it can help everyone, old and new, understand the rules and regulations.
Establish Evidence Preservation Protocols
The risk management officer should devise a strategy for preserving evidence related to resident injuries and accidents. Then, the team could communicate the methods for executing this plan.
Design an Action Plan
The nursing home should have a definitive plan to improve and revise problem areas related to risk management and resident care. Thus, it could reduce areas of concern and build proper strategies.
Implement Up-To-Date Strategies
The risk management team should develop an innovative approach to reducing injuries and accidents and minimizing the severity of these incidents. Then, they could reduce incidents and prevent bad things from happening.
Implement Risk Management Training
There should be training and refresher courses on risk management for non-physician staff at least once every year. Also, there should be a test so that employees understand the courses and can execute the methods.
Ensuring Customer Satisfaction
Ensuring customer satisfaction can be an effective strategy for minimizing the risk of lawsuits and claims. Likewise, the nursing home should make a concerted effort to determine the expectations of residents and their family members. There here should be a discussion about the steps involved in aging, as well as the progression of any diseases. Likewise, having a discussion with families members can help them understand the resident’s expected decline.
Customer Complaints
Nursing home personnel are often required to field complaints from residents and families. They should train employees to handle complaints effectively. Additionally, they should provide nursing care staff with example situations involving common grievances.
Ensuring proper communications can be valuable for minimizing risks and providing better care. Getting feedback also helps nursing home personnel address potential problems.
About Caitlin Morgan
Caitlin Morgan specializes in insuring assisted living facilities and nursing homes and can assist you in providing insurance and risk management services for this niche market. Give us a call to learn more about our programs at (877) 226-1027.