Fundamentals of Patient Safety and Risk Management in Healthcare

When systems fail in healthcare, the impact can be personal, public, and lasting. Preventable harm or non-compliance with safety protocols can lead to devastating consequences and quickly erode trust. Patient safety focuses on minimizing harm during care by preventing errors, standardizing procedures, and fostering accountability. Risk management, on the other hand, involves identifying and addressing potential threats that could affect patient care or the organization’s integrity. Together, these two disciplines work to reduce harm, ensure regulatory compliance, protect the organization’s reputation, and use data to prevent future risks. When properly aligned, they help healthcare systems move from reactive fixes to proactive, resilient care.