Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What term describes actions taken to protect healthcare recipients from potential harm?

1. Patient safety improvement

2. Quality improvement

3. Quality management

4. Risk management

The correct answer is: Risk management

The correct term for actions taken to protect healthcare recipients from potential harm is risk management. This concept encompasses a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and minimizing risks that could lead to harm for patients within the healthcare setting. It involves strategies to prevent adverse events before they occur, ensuring the safety of patients and enhancing their care experience. In the context of healthcare, risk management may include various activities, such as analyzing incidents that have occurred, implementing safety protocols, conducting training for staff, and continuously monitoring practices to mitigate potential dangers. By focusing on risk management, healthcare organizations can create safer environments for patients, reducing the likelihood of incidents that could lead to harm. While patient safety improvement, quality improvement, and quality management all contribute to enhancing healthcare delivery, they do not specifically capture the proactive measures aimed at preventing risks and protecting patients as directly as risk management does.