HSMT9007A Risk Management and Clinical Governance

The topic is structured around the Australian Risk Management Standard (AS/NZS 430:2001). It provides a framework for students to assess and manage risks in a health care setting. There is a particular emphasis on managing public health risks in clinical care. Examples of system failures leading to clinical errors are discussed. The topic looks at quality systems and clinical governance arrangements introduced in Australian hospitals. Topics will include lessons learnt from SARS, accreditation, adverse incident reporting and the role of management, consumers and the media.

This topic aims to provide students with an understanding of recognised quality, safety and risk management standards, practices and tools and their particular application in the health care system. This includes the integration of risk management within the overall management task and its application to the professional culture of health care organisations, in the form of clinical governance.

1. Evaluate emerging trends in clinical governance and risk management
2. Develop and implement a system of clinical governance in health care organisations
3. Use recognised quality, safety and risk management standards, practice and tools in their work setting
4. Examine the suitability and effectiveness of quality improvement techniques in clinical governance and risk management
5. Select contextually appropriate resources and sources of information about clinical governance and risk management