Written Assignment Week #6
“Malpractice, Tort Reform, Institutional Ethics”
Elizabeth R Mandes
Prof Deryl Gulliford
Keller Graduate School of Management
April 6, 2012

Risk Management Plan for Little Falls Hospital
Patient Safety and Risk Management Program

1. Purpose: The Risk Management Plan is designed to support the mission and vision of Little Falls Hospital as it pertains to clinical risk and patient safety as well as visitor, third party, volunteer, and employee safety and potential business, operational, and property risks
2. Culture Principles: The Patient Safety and Risk Management Program supports the Little Falls Hospital philosophy that patient safety and risk management is everyone’s responsibility. Teamwork and participation among management, providers, volunteers, and staff are essential for an efficient and effective patient safety and risk management program. The program will be implemented through the coordination of multiple organizational functions and the activities of multiple departments. Little Falls Hospital supports the introduction of a just culture that emphasizes implementing evidence-based best practices, learning from error analysis, and providing constructive feedback, rather than blame and punishment. In a just culture, unsafe conditions and hazards are readily and proactively identified and admitted, medical or patient care errors are reported and analyzed, mistakes are openly discussed, and suggestions for systemic improvements are welcomed. Individuals are still held accountable for compliance with patient safety and risk management practices. As such, if evaluation and investigation of an error or event reveal reckless behavior or willful violation of policies, disciplinary actions can be taken. The Little Falls Hospital Risk Management Plan stimulates the development, review, and