Risk Assessment & Mitigation Flashcards
7 cards from real CLC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Assessment & Mitigation flashcards as text
A laboratory discovers that a centrifuge has a 15% probability of catastrophic failure per year and that such a failure would cause $200,000 in damages. What is the annualized loss expectancy (ALE)?
Answer: $30,000
ALE = Single Loss Expectancy × Annual Rate of Occurrence = $200,000 × 0.15 = $30,000.
Which risk mitigation strategy involves purchasing insurance to cover potential laboratory losses?
Answer: Risk transfer
Risk transfer shifts the financial burden of a risk to a third party, such as an insurer.
A Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) in a clinical laboratory primarily helps to:
Answer: Proactively identify process steps most likely to fail and their impact
FMEA is a prospective tool that identifies potential failure modes, their causes, and their effects on patient safety or workflow before they occur.
In a risk matrix, a hazard rated HIGH likelihood and LOW severity is typically categorized as:
Answer: Moderate risk requiring monitoring and controls
High likelihood combined with low severity places a hazard in a moderate risk zone, warranting controls and ongoing monitoring.
When conducting a root cause analysis (RCA) after a laboratory near-miss, the MOST important first step is to:
Answer: Secure and preserve all relevant evidence and records
Preserving evidence ensures the RCA has accurate information to identify the true root cause before any changes are made.
A laboratory consultant recommends implementing redundant freezer alarms connected to an off-site monitoring service. This action exemplifies which risk control strategy?
Answer: Risk reduction through engineering controls
Redundant alarms with off-site monitoring are engineering controls that reduce the likelihood and impact of sample loss from freezer failure.
Which of the following best describes residual risk in a laboratory context?
Answer: Risk remaining after all planned controls have been implemented
Residual risk is the level of risk that persists after controls are applied; it must still be evaluated for acceptability.