Personal risk management.

Just about anything can go wrong in medical practice and when it does, a single incident lasting just a minute or two can be the subject of a long string of inquiries spanning months or years. These might include investigation under a complaint procedure, disciplinary procedures, Medical Council inquiries, a clinical negligence claim, criminal proceedings, and, in the event of a death, a coroner’s inquest. Risk management is about preventing problems for the benefit of patients and your hospital or practice. Given the range of accountability procedures and their potential aftermath, there is considerable self-interest in preventing adverse incidents yourself.