Read more about the process in the Clinical Risk Management Guidelines (PDF 721KB) which include examples to illustrate how to apply risk management in a clinical setting.Ī key part of the clinical risk management process is to establish, implement and review controls to address risks. The process involves five steps and two overarching processes as shown in the diagram below. The systematic risk management process as outlined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management (PDF 267KB) (external site) should be used in clinical risk management practice. This should be an environment where there is transparent responsibility and accountability for identifying and managing risks, issues and opportunities so that excellence in clinical care may flourish.
In complying with its statutory responsibility, other public sector governance requirements and relevant Policy Frameworks ( Clinical Governance, Safety & Quality Policy Framework and Risk, Compliance & Audit Policy Framework), the Department of Health requires all health service providers to focus on local implementation and review of clinical risk management systems.Īll staff have a responsibility to understand and employ risk management in their day-to-day work to provide a safe and secure environment for patients, carers and staff. Clinical risk management is also part of a good clinical governance system through which organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care. This includes the human cost of adverse incidents. The Western Australian Department of Health has a statutory responsibility to protect the government and the general community from unnecessary costs and losses.