Examining the relationship between risk assessment and risk management in mental health

Thorough risk assessment helps in developing risk management plans that minimize risks that can impede mental health patients' recovery. Department of Health policy states that risk assessments and risk management plans should be inextricably linked. This paper examines their content and linkage within one Trust. Four inpatient wards for working age adults (18-65 years) in a large mental health Trust in England were included in the study. Completed risk assessment forms, for all patients in each inpatient ward were examined (n= 43), followed by an examination of notes for the same patients. Semi-structured interviews took place with ward nurses (n= 17). Findings show much variability in the amount and detail of risk information collected by nurses, which may be distributed in several places. Gaps in the risk assessment and risk management process are evident, and a disassociation between risk information and risk management plans is often present. Risk information should have a single location so that it can be easily found and updated. Overall, a more integrated approach to risk assessment and management is required, to help patients receive timely and appropriate interventions that can reduce risks such as suicide or harm to others.     

Development of a constipation risk assessment scale

Duffy J, Zernike W. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 260–263
Development of a constipation risk assessment scale
This clinical report details a project conducted to facilitate nurses in their assessment of patients who were 'at risk' of becoming constipated and to inform and guide nurses of appropriate strategies of intervention based on their assessment.     

Safety pharmacology and risk assessment

Evaluation of experimental drugs in animals for effects on critical organ systems allows identification of functional signals of efficacy and safety that can be subsequently monitored in human clinical trials. The International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), 'Guidelines on Safety Pharmacology', finalized in 2000, defined critical organ systems (cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous system) and functions to be evaluated, and points to consider for study design and conduct. The new Safety Pharmacology guidelines recognise that while in vitro studies of molecular targets (enzymes, receptors, ion channels, etc.) suggest mechanisms by which chemicals might impact organisms, organ functions are complex, integrative, and most usefully evaluated in their totality, in intact and ideally unanesthetized animal models. Signals identified from safety pharmacology studies are candidates for biomarkers, which when established/validated, can enhance cross-species-based risk assessments and risk management in clinical trials. This review will briefly trace the origins of modern safety pharmacology and discuss practical issues related to the identification and application of signals generated from safety pharmacology studies. The QT interval from the electrocardiogram is currently the 'most validated' of those signals ('biomarkers') generated from safety pharmacology studies and is presented as an example of the utility and the difficulties faced by safety pharmacologists attempting to predict risk in humans based upon physiological measurements conducted in animal studies.     

Evaluation of a constipation risk assessment scale

This project was undertaken in order to evaluate the utility of a constipation risk assessment scale and the accompanying bowel management protocol. The risk assessment scale was primarily introduced to teach and guide staff in managing constipation when caring for patients. The intention of the project was to reduce the incidence of constipation in patients during their admission to hospital.     

骨质疏松性骨折病人风险评估研究进展

从骨密度、骨折史、年龄和性别、骨转换标志、体质量/体质量指数、跌倒、糖皮质激素、吸烟与饮酒等方面介绍了骨质疏松性骨折风险评估研究进展,以筛检高危人群,预防骨折发生.     

Cardiovascular risk assessment tools: A scoping review

ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to describe cardiovascular risk (CVR) assessment methods and to identify evidence-based practice recommendations when dealing with population at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.Review methods and data sourcesA literature review following the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodology was conducted. By using appropriate key terms, literature searches were conducted in PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane Library, Dialnet, ENFISPO, Medigraphic, ScienceDirect, Cuiden, and Lilacs databases. A complementary search on websites related to the area of interest was conducted. Articles published in English or Spanish in peer-review journals between 2010 and 2017. Critical appraisal for methodological quality was conducted. Data was extracted using ad-hoc tables and qualitatively synthesized.ResultsAfter eliminating duplicates, 55 325 records remained, and 1432 records were selected for screening. Out of these, 88 full-text articles were selected for eligibility criteria, and finally, 67 studies were selected for this review, and 25 studies were selected for evidence synthesis. In total, 23 CVR assessment tools have been identified, pioneered by the Framingham study. Qualitative findings were grouped into four thematic areas: assessment tools and scores, CVR indicators, comparative models, and evidence-based recommendations.ConclusionsIt is necessary to adapt the instruments to the epidemiological reality of the population. The most appropriate way to estimate CVR is to choose the assessment tool that best suits individual conditions, accompanied by a comprehensive assessment of the patient. More research is required to determine a single, adequate, and reliable tool.     

Deconstructing risk assessment and management in mental health nursing

RATIONALE: Risk assessment and management have a taken a central position in the delivery of contemporary mental health services. However, these concepts are generally taken-for-granted as necessary and unavoidable aspects of mental health nursing practice. This deconstructive analysis explores some of the assumptions and values that underpin these concepts. AIMS: The aims of the study were to provide a deconstructive analysis of the concepts of risk and risk management, and to explore the historical context of mental disorder and the concept of risk, the clinical context of risk assessment and management, the cultural, political and economic context of risk, and the impact on mental health nursing and consumers of mental health services. DESIGN: This paper takes a deconstructive approach to the exploration of the historical, clinical, cultural, political and economic context of the concept of risk and its assessment and management. This is undertaken by providing a critical review of the history of mental illness and its relationship to risk, examination of government policy on clinical risk management, analysis of a risk assessment model and a discussion of the political and economic factors that have influenced the use of risk assessment and management in clinical practice. FINDINGS: The concept of risk and its assessment and management have been employed in the delivery of mental health services as a form of contemporary governance. One consequence of this has been the positioning of social concerns over clinical judgement. The process employed to assess and manage risk could be regarded as a process of codification, commodification and aggregation. In the mental health care setting this can mean attempting to control the actions and behaviours of consumers and clinicians to best meet the fiscal needs of the organization. CONCLUSION: The mental health nursing profession needs to examine carefully its socially mandated role as guardians of those who pose a risk to others to ensure that its practice represents its espoused therapeutic responsibilities.     

玉疮风险评估工具与预防进展

本文对国内外主要的压疮风险评估量表和压疮预防研究现状进行分析,结果发现：压疮风险评估量表中Braden量表具有较好的预测价值,但须进一步研究和明确不同量表的适用人群;应根据风险程度采取有效的预防措施,减轻局部压力、剪切力和摩擦力,增强皮肤耐受性,加强健康教育,从而减少压疮的发生。     

老年人跌倒风险评估工具研究进展

跌倒是影响老年人健康的重要问题。跌倒危险评估有助于明确老年人的跌倒风险,并进行针对性的干预。本文对国内外老年人跌倒风险相关评估工具的研究进展进行综述,为开发具有我国特色的老年人跌倒风险评估工具提供依据。     

老年患者医院获得性肺炎风险评估模型的构建

目的构建老年患者医院获得性肺炎(HAP)风险因素评估模型,筛选HAP的老年高危人群。方法采用logistic回归分析,进行危险因素识别,建立HAP风险因素评估体系;根据β值对各危险因素进行赋值,建立感染风险因素评估模型。结果年龄≥70岁、神经系统疾病、恶性肿瘤、血液病、曾住ICU、本次住院手术次数≥3次以及先前使用抗菌药物是HAP的独立危险因素,HAP风险评估模型在建模组和验证组数据中受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.73和0.77。结论老年患者HAP的风险评估模型具有较好的风险识别效度,可对老年患者中HAP的高危人群进行有效识 别。     

老年精神病患者护理风险评估及应对措施

目的 探讨老年精神病患者护理风险因素及应对措施.方法 将2012年9月-2013年9月住院的50例老年精神病患者设为观察组,2011年8月-2012年8月住院的50例老年精神病患者设为对照组,两组均予以精神科常规护理,观察组在此基础上分析护理风险,并制定应对措施予以干预.对两组风险事件率、护理满意度及家属投诉率进行对比分析.结果 观察组风险事件率显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）,家属投诉率低于对照组,但差异无显著性（P＞0.05）;护理满意度显著高于对照组（P＜0.01）.结论 加强老年精神病患者护理风险评估,并制定安全应对措施,可显著提高临床安全性,减少不良事件的发生.     

Hospital fall risk assessment tools: a critique of the literature

There are numerous fall risk assessment tools developed for use by nurses in hospitals; however, few of them have established validity and reliability. This article will examine the current state of knowledge in regard to fall risk assessment tools through review and critique of the literature on the topic. Recommendations for future research on fall risk assessment tools will be made and a conceptual framework detailing the relationship between the variables involved in assessing the accuracy of fall risk assessment tools will be presented.     

住院病人跌倒危险因素评估量表的设计与应用

目的减少和避免住院病人跌倒发生。方法设计住院病人跌倒危险因素评估量表及住院病人跌倒危险护理措施表,应用于内科4个护理单元评估病人。结果427例病人实施护理措施表后,无一例跌倒事件发生。结论应用病人跌倒评估量表,使护理措施更具体及个性化,可以预防病人跌倒的发生。     

攻击风险评估表在躁狂症患者中的应用

目的：探讨攻击风险评估表在躁狂症患者中的应用效果。方法：采用攻击风险评估表对57例住院躁狂症患者进行首诊、全面和重点评估，根据评估结果实施分级护理和专科护理。结果：57例躁狂症患者中，攻击风险Ⅰ级31例，Ⅱ级9例，Ⅲ级10例，Ⅳ级7例。经采取不同的护理措施后，所有患者在住院治疗期间未出现对他人及自身的人身伤害。结论：攻击风险评估表能将患者现存的和潜在的攻击行为危害降到最低，防止了患者在住院期间发生自身和他人人身伤害，保证了治疗护理工作的顺利进行，值得在临床推广应用.     

深静脉血栓风险评估研究进展及展望

阐述了深静脉血栓危险因素、风险评估方法和工具以及我国深静脉血栓风险评估现状,提出未来深静脉血栓风险评估的方法是将群体评估与个体评估相结合,将来的研究方向是验证评估工具的有效性,并根据已有的研究逐步改进,不断完善,最终形成有说服力的评估工具,增强临床护理人员对深静脉血栓的防范意识,促进对深静脉血栓的认知和理解,保障病人安全。     

Are we good at thromboembolic disease prophylaxis - an audit of the use of risk assessment forms in emergency medical admissions

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients. Thromboprophylaxis is an effective strategy for VTE prevention in high-risk patients. An initial audit in our district general hospital trust showed poor adherence to the thromboembolic risk factors consensus group recommendations and so a risk assessment form (RAF) was devised. We present repeated audits to assess the RAF uptake and its effects on VTE thromboprophylaxis. We also present data analysing perceptions among doctors of the RAF and reasons for its poor completion. We provide compelling evidence that the RAF is an invaluable tool in the assessment of VTE thromboprophylaxis.