Risk Management & Mitigation Flashcards

In risk management terminology, what does 'likelihood' refer to when conducting a clinical risk assessment?

Answer: The probability that a specific hazardous event will occur

In risk assessment, likelihood (or probability) refers to how probable it is that a given hazard will lead to an adverse event.

Which documentation practice best supports risk management in speech-language pathology?

Answer: Accurately documenting client status, clinical reasoning, interventions, and responses in real time

Accurate, timely documentation creates a legal record of clinical decisions and protects both the client and clinician in the event of adverse outcomes.

A client who is status post-stroke presents with severe dysphagia and consistently refuses the recommended modified diet. After thorough counseling, they persist in their choice. What should the SLP do?

Answer: Respect autonomy, document thoroughly, ensure informed refusal is documented, and continue risk counseling

Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment; the SLP must document the informed refusal, educate about risks, and continue offering support.

Which of the following represents the highest priority in Maslow's hierarchy as it applies to risk management during SLP clinical sessions?

Answer: Physiological safety and freedom from physical harm

Basic physiological safety must always be addressed before higher-order goals such as communication or psychosocial well-being.

An SLP is asked by a physician to perform a bedside swallow evaluation on a patient who is heavily sedated and unresponsive. What is the appropriate risk management response?

Answer: Defer the evaluation until the patient is alert enough to participate safely and document the rationale

Performing a swallow evaluation on an unresponsive patient poses significant aspiration risk and yields unreliable results; deferring and documenting is the safe clinical choice.

Which of the following is an example of a systemic (organizational) risk factor in an SLP's clinical environment?

Answer: High caseload size that limits available time for thorough clinical documentation

High caseload is an organizational/systemic risk factor because it is created by workplace structure rather than individual client characteristics.

When an SLP identifies an unsafe condition in a healthcare facility (e.g., broken equipment), what is the most appropriate risk mitigation step?

Answer: Remove the equipment from use, report the hazard to facilities management, and document the action

Removing unsafe equipment and immediately reporting the hazard through proper channels prevents client harm and fulfills the clinician's duty of care.