Meet risk challenges through leadership, collaboration For example, procedures related to high-alert medications — these are drugs that can cause significant patient harm if administered incorrectly. A nurse obtains a drug and determines if it is on the hospital’s high-alert medication list. If it is listed, policy likely requires an independent double-check by the nurse prior to administration to the patient. This would mean the medication must pass an additional level of scrutiny before it is administered. In a clinically oriented audit, IA can assist leadership with education, analytics and process mapping. For example, IA could help the chief nursing officer determine whether nurses understand the difference between a double-check and an independent doublecheck. Without having to understand the medical aspects of the process, IA can provide substantive value in the assessment of processes that support clinical care. An example from the operating room would be a checklist or procedure for minimizing the likelihood of a retained foreign object (RFO), such as a sponge left in a person’s body.

In an RFO event, the surgeon may be subject to a probationary period of 90 to 120 days intended to reinforce procedures and controls to prevent RFOs. IA is not equipped to question a surgeon’s ability or the process for performing a medical procedure, but can review documentation and nonmedical processes put in place as part of the probationary and post-probationary periods. In this way, IA can ensure that medical leadership’s expectations are met and procedures to control RFOs are followed. Contacts Anne McGeorge National Managing Partner Health Care T +1 704 632 3520 E anne.mcgeorge@us.gt.com Victor Blanchard Director Business Advisory Services T +1 410 244 3210 E victor.blanchard@us.gt.com John Summerlin Senior Manager Health Care Advisory Services T +1 404 475 0188 E john.summerlin@us.gt.com As for every other function and process in the organization, the point is to assure a quality result — one that was agreed upon and planned for from the start. IA’s ability to collaborate, along with its unique perspective, will be a critical tool in successfully managing the transformation occurring in health care today. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your organization manage its risk. About the newsletter HealthCareRx is published by Grant Thornton LLP.

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