What does risk management in healthcare focus on?

Risk management in healthcare is primarily concerned with a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that could impact patient safety. This encompasses various elements, including the evaluation of potential hazards, the development of protocols to address those hazards, and the implementation of strategies to prevent adverse events. The ultimate goal of risk management in this context is to ensure a safe environment for both patients and healthcare providers, thereby enhancing the quality of care and minimizing legal liabilities.

This focus on patient safety is essential because healthcare organizations must constantly monitor and manage a range of risks, from clinical errors and equipment failures to workplace safety and compliance issues. By proactively identifying and addressing these risks, healthcare organizations can reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes, improve overall patient care, and foster trust in their services.

In contrast, other choices relate to aspects of healthcare operations that, while important, do not align with the core objectives of risk management. Reducing costs, recruiting staff, and marketing services are all essential components of healthcare management, but they do not specifically address the systematic identification and mitigation of risks to patient safety that define risk management's role in healthcare.