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RISK MANAGEMENT

BWH -617-732-6442

Janet Nally Barnes, RN, JD, Director of Risk Management

Mary L. White RN, MBA, Risk Manager

Healthcare Risk Management at BWH focuses on identification, evaluation and treatment of problems that arise in the course of providing medical treatment to patients that might result in serious patient injury or the potential of financial loss to the health care institution or providers. The main objectives of risk management include improving the quality of care provided to patients, promoting a patient-safe environment, and, as a result, prevent or minimize the risk of liability exposure.

As an employee at BWH, staff have two major roles in risk management:

  • Respond to adverse patient events in an appropriate and timely manner and report those events promptly to the Risk Management Department in accordance with hospital policy.


  • Develop and use strategies aimed at improving patient safety, preventing medical errors and professional liability claims.
The Risk Management Department investigates and reviews adverse patient events, facilitates the root cause analysis process for those adverse patient events that it identifies as sentinel events, and assists in identifying quality improvement issues, among other activities. Additionally, the Risk Management Department is responsible for fulfilling the Hospital. s obligation to report certain patient events to both state and federal regulatory agencies, including the Board of Registration in Medicine and the Department of Public Health. In this regard, the participation of BWH employees is crucial when it comes to prompt recognition and notification of a serious adverse patient event.

In addition, you should notify the Risk Management Department promptly if you receive or are served with formal suit papers (Summons and Complaint) or subpoena. The Risk Management Department will provide information and guidance on responding to such documents.
* In general, you should only accept a summons or subpoena if you are the person named, or if you serve the function named, i.e., "Keeper of Records", or if the person named has specifically authorized you to accept service on his or her behalf.

Finally, notify the Risk Management Department if you receive any communication from an attorney requesting information about patients or you receive notice of or threat of legal action or demand for compensation in connection with providing healthcare while at BWH.

 
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