Risk management can be associated with medical malpractice or liability issues. Risk management involves proactive management rather than reactive. It is important to identify and correct any practices that could lead to malpractice or liability claims. In addition, it is important to identify and correct factors that could contribute to a crisis or loss and to reduce effects of unavoidable losses. Risk management practices can be coordinated with quality assurance measures in long term care facilities.
Risk management is especially critical in the delivery of medications to long term care residents.
The authors of this article discuss how risk management techniques could prevent potential problems resulting from the use of oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin. This article focuses on the most commonly used form of this drug-Coumadin Tablets Crystalline. Consultant pharmacists can play a role in risk management by monitoring and reviewing the drug therapy of long term care residents. A proactive medication review process should be established. Providing documentation for this process is an additional step that must be taken in order to reduce risks to the resident and the facility.