Reducing Liability (U4L1)

What are some ways that liability can be reduced?

Follow policies and procedures, keep proper documentation, file event reports and keep anecdotal records, use problem solving skills, and apply risk management.

What are the steps in the problem solving method?

Identify the method, identify the objective that must be achieved, identify the circumstances that affect the problem, name all possible solutions, make and implement a plan, evaluate the results.

What are anecdotal records?

Personal accounts of events; health care workers hold them in their own possession.

What are three levels of liability in a health care setting?

Personal, supervisory, employer

What is liability?

Being legally responsible for causing harm.

What is risk management?

Process of identification, evaluation, and prevention

What are procedures?

The methods the facility uses to carry out its policies; they explain how the facility operates.

What are policies?

The principles that direct the facility's activities; they states what the facility does.

What information do event reports include?

Who was involved, what occurred, when and where the event occurred, what actions were taken, statements by an people who were harmed, statements from health care workers involved, statements from witnesses.