The case study developed by Rosemary Flanigan (n.d) represents the ethical challenges that hospitals face when dealing with patients ailing from serious illness. In this case, the patient dies as a result of grave illness and the failure by her family to provide clear guidance regarding the action that practitioners can take. Given the complex factors that were at play in this case, a reactive approach is most appropriate. What makes this approach ideal is the fact that the patient’s situation is grave and there is little that the practitioners can do to improve her situation. Furthermore, the family is not helpful in providing consent for the patient to be resuscitated. A proactive approach would be recommended if this patient had some hope of recovery. Her condition is simply too grave for practitioners to proactively alleviate her suffering.
Risk management is among the concepts that define the delivery of healthcare. When used in the medical setting and sense, this concept refers to the steps that are taken to either minimize or eliminate the hazards that could harm human health and wellbeing (Kavaler & Alexander, 2012). There is no clear position on the origins of risk management. However, as Messano, Bono, Folco and Marsella (2014) report in their article, risk management in healthcare gained prominence after the Second World War. It was during this period that such initiatives as the provision of medical insurance were integrated into the healthcare system.
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The different case studies provide opportunity for the application of risk management, In these cases, risk management can be used to fix problems as and when they arise, and to prevent the problems from giving rise to other problems. To fix in the moment problems, risk management would enable practitioners to address the issues that the patient is presenting with. For example, in the case by Linda Johnson (n.d), the patient complains of pain and discomfort. Using risk management, the attending physician can take steps to minimize the discomfort. In order to ensure that the pain does not worsen, risk management can be used to predict the consequences of the failure to take action. For example, the practitioners can predict that they could face legal action if they do not provide the patient with the care that they need.
References
Flanigan, R. (n.d.). Could this Happen at Our Hospital? https://practicalbioethics.org/case-studies-could-this-happen-at-our-hospital.
Johnson, L. & Potter, R. (n.d.). Walking the Tightrope: https://www.practicalbioethics.org/case-studies-walking-the-tightrope
Kavaler, F., & Alexander, R. S. (2012). Risk management in healthcare institutions: limiting liability and enhancing care. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Messano, G. A., Bono, V. D., Folco, F. D., & Marsella, T. L. (2014). Past and present of risk management in healthcare. Sanità Pubb, 70 , 421-7.
