CHSP Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a risk matrix in healthcare safety?
- To schedule employee training sessions
- To evaluate and prioritize risks based on probability and severity (Correct answer)
- To calculate insurance premiums
- To determine staff-to-patient ratios
Correct answer: To evaluate and prioritize risks based on probability and severity
A risk matrix combines the probability of an event with its potential severity to produce a risk score that helps prioritize mitigation efforts.
A risk matrix provides a visual representation of risk by plotting likelihood on one axis and severity on the other, creating risk ratings that guide resource allocation.
Question 2: What is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) used for in healthcare settings?
- Investigating incidents after they occur
- Proactively identifying potential failures in a process before they happen (Correct answer)
- Calculating financial losses from equipment breakdowns
- Evaluating employee performance metrics
Correct answer: Proactively identifying potential failures in a process before they happen
FMEA is a proactive risk assessment tool that systematically examines processes to identify potential failure modes and their effects before adverse events occur.
FMEA is required by The Joint Commission for at least one high-risk process annually. It rates failure modes for severity, probability, and detectability to produce a Risk Priority Number.
Question 3: Which reporting system encourages healthcare workers to report safety concerns without fear of punishment?
- Punitive reporting system
- Mandatory disciplinary reporting
- Non-punitive or just culture reporting system (Correct answer)
- Anonymous tip hotline only
Correct answer: Non-punitive or just culture reporting system
A non-punitive or just culture reporting system encourages open reporting by assuring reporters they will not be punished for good-faith reports.
A just culture distinguishes between human error, at-risk behavior, and reckless behavior, applying different responses to each while encouraging open reporting.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a root cause analysis (RCA) following a sentinel event?
- To assign blame to the individual responsible
- To identify the underlying system factors that contributed to the event (Correct answer)
- To calculate the financial impact of the event
- To prepare a legal defense for the organization
Correct answer: To identify the underlying system factors that contributed to the event
Root cause analysis aims to identify underlying system and process factors that contributed to an adverse event, enabling corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
RCA uses methods like the 5 Whys and fishbone diagrams to identify root causes, focusing on systems rather than individuals.
Question 5: In hazard identification, what is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
- They are identical terms
- A hazard is a source of potential harm while risk is the likelihood and severity of harm from that hazard (Correct answer)
- A risk is always greater than a hazard
- Hazards only exist in industrial settings
Correct answer: A hazard is a source of potential harm while risk is the likelihood and severity of harm from that hazard
A hazard is anything with potential to cause harm, while risk combines the probability of exposure with the severity of resulting harm.
A wet floor (hazard) in a rarely used room poses lower risk than the same wet floor in a busy corridor. This distinction directs resources toward controlling hazards that pose the greatest actual risk.
Question 6: What is the recommended first step when conducting a workplace safety inspection?
- Immediately begin writing citations
- Review previous inspection reports, incident data, and known hazards before starting the walkthrough (Correct answer)
- Only inspect areas where injuries have previously occurred
- Delegate the inspection entirely to an outside consultant
Correct answer: Review previous inspection reports, incident data, and known hazards before starting the walkthrough
Reviewing previous findings, incident reports, and known hazards before the walkthrough ensures a focused and comprehensive inspection.
Effective inspections begin with reviewing previous reports, analyzing recent incidents, gathering applicable regulations, and preparing necessary tools and checklists.
CHSP Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Control 2
What is the primary purpose of a risk matrix in healthcare safety?