Risk managers' descriptions of programs to support second victims after adverse events

Guidelines call for healthcare organizations to provide emotional support for clinicians involved in adverse events, but little is known about how these organizations seek to meet this need. We surveyed US members of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) about the presence, features, and perceived efficacy of their organization's provider support program. The majority reported that their organization had a support program, but features varied widely and there are substantial opportunities to improve services. Provider support programs should enhance referral mechanisms and peer support, critically appraise the role of employee assistance programs, and demonstrate their value to institutional leaders.     

“Risk management” is a verb

To optimally demonstrate the value of risk management, our actions must show the benefits. The American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) board needs to provide support through tools and resources. ASHRM members must show through their actions the value of risk management. And ASHRM members need to show the organization where actions and activities should be focused in the future. Actions show the value of enterprise risk management.     

The risk management professional and medication safety

ASHRM is committed to the future development of the healthcare risk management profession. A key contribution to this commitment is the creation of a student version of ASHRM's best‐selling Risk Management Handbook for Healthcare Organizations. The Student Edition was released this spring. It is now being made available to universities and colleges to incorporate into their degree programs.     

Our ASHRM journey continues: ERM for our patients' safety

First and foremost, as your 2013 ASHRM president, I'd like to thank you for all of the significant accomplishments you've helped ASHRM attain this year. And I'll be forever grateful for your support and making my personal and professional dream come true—to serve as your president. Advocating on behalf of all healthcare risk managers and furthering the quest of Getting to Zero for our patients' safety through Enterprise Risk Management, or ERM, has been an honor, because everyone is a risk manager!     

A dream come true: Being President of ASHRM

During our 33rd Annual Conference of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, I had the absolute honor and privilege to thank our 2013 ASHRM board and staff along with the ASHRM membership. On behalf of the membership I extended heartfelt thanks for a job well done to our retiring board members, friends, and colleagues: Faye Shepherd, Ellen Grady‐Venditti, Michael Midgley, and Immediate Past President Mary Anne Hilliard. Together, we welcomed 2014 ASHRM board members and witnessed the oath of office to Hala Helm, David Sine, and Sherrill Peters, along with President‐Elect Ellen Grady‐Venditti and our 2014 President Jacque Mitchell.     

A new year,new opportunities for growth

Reflecting back on my 20 years in risk management, I wonder at times how I got this far. In my first risk position, to my great fortune, my boss Melinda felt it important that I attend the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) Annual Conference. Flying out of San Francisco in 1996 after the conference ended, I was in awe of the wealth of information available to me through this venue. I was grateful for those in our industry willing to share their expertise and engage me in conversation at an event where I didn't know a soul. I was hooked, and have missed just a few Annual Conferences since then.     

Analysis of ASHRM membership survey on healthcare captives

This article explores the emergence of captives as a vehicle for managing healthcare risks. In 2006, the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) surveyed a segment of its membership with experience and interest in alternative risk financing about the role of healthcare captives. This article summarizes the findings and generally assesses the responses for opportunities to educate risk managers more fully on the role captives can play in managing risks.     

Keep that magic going in 2015!

Greetings and welcome to ASHRM's 35th anniversary year! As I begin my term as president, I acknowledge and appreciate the richness and depth of our organization's history and value the wisdom of our many members and volunteers who have been actively involved in ASHRM from the beginning, as well as those of us who haven't been around that long!     

Gaining momentum in the long, uphill battle to "get to zero"

I am truly privileged to be addressing you for the first time in the Journal of Healthcare Risk Management. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and working with you. I want to learn more about all the great ways that each of you has been making a difference in keeping our patients safe and building trust in our healthcare systems. As you know, the ASHRM Board is completely committed to finding solutions through the empowerment of our members. We believe in you. In that spirit, we are coming up with new ways to fund research and make critical connections that will fuel ideas.     

National survey: Risk managers' attitudes and experiences regarding patient safety and error disclosure

Risk managers can play a vital role in promoting transparency in health care and enhancing patient safety. However, little is known about risk managers' patient safety attitudes and experiences. Therefore, the authors surveyed members of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, the largest organization of health care risk managers in the country. These risk managers identified important areas for improvement in the reporting and disclosure of medical errors.     

The experiences of risk managers in providing emotional support for health care workers after adverse events

Risk managers often meet with health care workers who are emotionally traumatized following adverse events. We surveyed members of the American Society for Health care Risk Management (ASHRM) about their training, experience, competence, and comfort with providing emotional support to health care workers. Although risk managers reported feeling comfortable and competent in providing support, nearly all respondents prefer to receive additional training. Risk managers who were comfortable listening to and supporting health care workers were more likely to report prior training. Health care organizations implementing second victim support programs should not rely solely on risk managers to provide support, rather engage and train interested risk managers and provide them with opportunities to practice.     

Pearls of wisdom: Practical application of the Pearls series

Scores of ASHRM members have collaborated to produce the Pearls Series, a set of pocket guides on topics of interest for not only risk managers but also administrators, clinicians, and board members. The succinct format facilitates the dissemination of pertinent information to a wide audience. Risk managers should be knowledgeable of the Pearls topics, understand how to develop appropriate metrics, and manage the monitoring and performance improvement aspects that are critical to ensuring successful knowledge transfer.     

Perspectives on healthcare reform: High Court to decide constitutionality of individual mandate

The US Supreme Court soon will decide a number of issues regarding the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act(1) (PPACA), pursuant to an order published on November 14, 2011. This article will identify four issues (Commerce Clause power, severability, Medicaid expansion, and Anti-Injunction Act) coming before the Court for argument in the spring of 2012. Also, this article identifies and discusses the pro and con arguments pertaining to each issue. Readers who wish to refresh their memories about all the events leading up to the Supreme Court review may refer to the December 2010 monograph of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM).(2).     

The expanding reach of risk management

Although risk management is an industry that came into vogue 20 years ago because of a malpractice crisis, it has evolved beyond the singular concern of professional liability. That's evidenced by the entries for the seventh annual Excellence in Healthcare Risk Management Award competition. Each of this year's winners put a nontraditional twist on risk management.     

Hospital and physician professional liability trends and industry topics

This article summarizes the findings published in the Aon/ASHRM Hospital and Physician Professional Liability Benchmark Analysis, October 2014. The report analyzes aggregated data from hospital systems and physician groups across the United States that self‐insure their professional liability exposures. Risk managers use the information to identify, measure, and better understand the risks that may affect their organizations.     

An enterprise look at mHealth

The theme of this year's annual American Society for Healthcare Risk Management conference is Getting to Zero?: the Power of One?. The widespread use of mHealth exemplifies the power of one. The power of one user to apply technology to change the way healthcare is delivered at the bedside, in the provider's office, and in the patient's home. The power of one organization to provide technology that ensures provider access to clinical information to improve decision making, facilitate access to clinical information, and provide new ways to partner with patients — wherever they may be. This article provides an overview of the current status of mHealth and describes risk management strategies appropriate for organizations of all sizes and complexities.     

Balancing risk. The rapid formation of provider networks is leaving some liability issues overlooked

Provider networks are being created at a furious pace, often without regard for the accompanying risks. The sixth annual Excellence in Healthcare Risk Management Awards showcase three organizations that have successfully, and innovatively, addressed risk management concerns.     

Our patients' safety through our new vision,mission, and strategic plan

This being my first president's column, I would be remiss if I did not provide a heartfelt thanks to the ASHRM membership, who elected me to serve as your 2013 ASHRM President. Thank you all for allowing me to continue to give back to our fine and noble healthcare risk management profession!.     

Meeting your needs,now and in the future

President Obama has repeatedly said that healthcare reform is not a luxury that can be postponed but a necessity that cannot wait. Healthcare change is all around us, and ASHRM is continually working to assist its members with opportunities to demonstrate their value and leadership within their respective organizations.     

Spreading the word about the unique and valuable role of healthcare risk managers

Here I am three‐quarters through my year as president of ASHRM and I am still pinching myself that I am where I am! How has your year been? It has been a tough year for everyone in healthcare. With the Affordable Care Act demands on healthcare and the public, concerns about funding, quality initiatives, and overall potential loss of revenue, it's a wonder we are still in healthcare. But would you be doing anything different? I don't think so. I love that I can help make a difference by assisting staff with a difficult patient or situation or help a patient with a care concern that they are totally frustrated with or explain to a fellow risk manager what I would do in the situation they are dealing with. Although we feel like we are being pulled into new healthcare territories for our insight and recommendations, it is an indication of the value we bring to our organizations. We will get through this and there will be more challenges, but as risk management professionals, we can help solve problems and create value in the upcoming changes in healthcare.