Please respond to classmate’s post in 350 words:
Healthcare risk management involves using policies and procedures by health care organizations and institutions to identify and prevent risks (Kavaler & Alexander, 2014). In a school environment, the risks primarily involve medical and educational factors. The institution employs various methods to effectively handle and reduce potential risks to create a secure learning environment. For example, as a medical emergency response team member, the responsibilities include developing and updating medical procedures. Also, the institution emphasizes employee education and adherence to regulations as crucial elements of risk management (Vector Solutions, 2023). These risk management methods are effective because the methods enhance performance and protect the organization.
As a teacher and athletic trainer, communication is the most commonly used risk management strategy. An example of a communication strategy is the teach-back. This method is used on patients so that medical professionals can evaluate the patient’s understanding of the care (Yen & Leasure, 2019). However, if not implemented correctly, serious injuries can occur. For example, a student-athlete diagnosed with a concussion was sent home but attended a football game instead. The athlete attempted to enter the field through the gate during the match. The athlete presented the football uniform to the security guard, explaining that he was injured and intended to assist on the sideline. Security personnel are not medical professionals. Therefore, security allowed the student inside. Once on the field, the student hid on the opposite side, so the athletic trainer would not notice. During the game, an opposing player collided with a teammate near the sideline, causing multiple injuries. The athlete was reinjured and taken to the emergency room. The parents were promptly notified of the injury and subsequently arranged a meeting with the school 2 days later. During the meeting, the parents expressed intentions to file a claim against the school, citing the student’s diagnosis of another severe brain injury. The athletic trainer, coach, athletic administrator, principals, and school physician convened with the parents to discuss the incident. The school thoroughly reviewed the events leading up to the incident. The parents acknowledged that prior to the season, the family signed a concussion form, plus, another form about the student’s initial injury with instructions and a phone call from the athletic trainer. The outcome was favorable for the school because the family did not file any claims. However, proper communication could have prevented the situation.
Proper communication involves the student, parent, physician, coach, and athletic trainer. The parent should ensure that the student follows the Department of Athletics rules. Similarly, the athletic trainer and football coach should have communicated with security to ensure that no unauthorized individuals entered the field. Likewise, the athletic trainer and doctor could have reinforced the prohibition of physical activity with the teach-back method to the student and parent. According to Yen and Leasure (2019), the teach-back method can help patients to understand and make appropriate health decisions. The teach-back method could have validated the student’s understanding of instructions.
References
Kavaler, F., & Alexander, R. S. (2014). Risk management in healthcare institutions: Limiting liability and enhancing care. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Vector Solutions. (2023, May 19). Safety and compliance training best practices.
Yen, P. H., & Leasure, A. R. (2019). Use and effectiveness of the teach-back method in patient education and health outcomes. Federal Practitioner. 36(6), 284–289. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6590951/pdf/fp-36-06-284.pdf