Education

ERC Risk Solutions provides a broad range of education services focused on risk management and patient safety techniques. Nationally renowned speakers bring the latest in customized solutions to clients.

Sample topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Communication
  • Credentialing/privileging
  • Critical event investigation
  • Disclosure
  • Disruptive behavior
  • Dispute resolution
  • Documentation
  • E-communication and social media
  • EHR implementation and utilization
  • Infection control
  • Informed consent/refusal
  • Just culture
  • Patient compliance and education
  • Policy development and review
  • Records retention/release
  • Root cause analysis
  • Teamwork
  • And many more!!
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Available educational formats include:

  • Live programs/presentations
  • Webinars
  • Online, self-paced courses
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Simulation training
  • Written materials
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Disclosure and Apology

Disclosing and apologizing for a mistake requires expertise in handling such a communication. With a sincere “I’m sorry,” the provider/organization acknowledges that harm’s been done, takes responsibility for actions, as applicable, and starts to move forward. Historically, apologizing by medical professionals was something that was avoided.

We support the development of the process and understanding for disclosure and apology concepts. A train the trainer process is also provided to assist the organization’s disclosure response team.

Teamwork - TeamSTEPPS Training

Master trained staff lead the teamwork and communication training including sessions to train the trainer (internal staff). This communication training is developed based on best practices from the AHRQ.

Just Culture Support and Training

An analysis of the current culture is conducted related to the concepts of just culture-shared accountability. Board, leadership and management education is provided. The term “just culture” refers to a values-supportive system of shared accountability where organizations are accountable for the systems they have designed and for responding to the behaviors of their employees in a fair and just manner. Employees, in turn, are accountable for the quality of their choices and for reporting both their errors and system vulnerabilities. Just culture training is designed to help change an organization’s culture by placing more focus on risk, system design, and the management of behavioral choices versus determining blame. In this model, errors and outcomes are the outputs to be monitored; system design and behavioral choices are the inputs to be managed.

  • Measure ERM value, based on priorities
  • Create a shared language and vision
  • Tackle inadequately addressed uncertainties and opportunities
  • Streamline processes and resolve business inefficiencies
  • Build a repeatable and scalable process for better decision making
  • Reduce costs by understanding a risk’s root cause rather than simply treating the symptoms

Algorithms are used to assist in holding employees and providers accountable for at-risk or reckless behavior, but they are not punished for system failings over which they have no control. A just culture teaches how to productively coach employees around reliable behaviors, and recognize when remedial, disciplinary, or punitive actions will the desired results. Just culture training is a crucial element of an organization’s journey to high reliability.

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Publications and Resources

Covering topics focused on risk management, patient safety, clinical practice concerns and recommendations, legal and practice liability issues and claims trend analysis.
Physician Office Risk Management Manual – This manual provides guidance and tools on the most frequently asked risk management topics in the physician office setting. The manual is frequently updated so you have the latest information available.

This manual is intended to provide you with guidance to apply the concepts of Plan, Do, Change, Act to any process in your practice that requires improvement.

ERC Risk Solutions provides proactive self-assessment tools and toolkits to improve patient safety practices in the ambulatory setting.

  • Test Tracking Processes Improvement Toolkit –Improve processes for tracking, reporting, and following up on patients’ medical laboratory tests.
  • Improve EHR System Safety – SAFER Guides –Each guide addresses a different critical area associated with the safe use of EHRs through a series of self-assessment checklists, practice worksheets, and recommended practices.
  • Risk Management Self-Assessment Tool for Ambulatory Care Settings – provides practices with the ability to self-identify systems that may lead to patient harm or present a risk for litigation

Enterprise Risk Management

Enterprise risk management (ERM) is a strategic business discipline that supports the achievement of an organization’s objectives by addressing the full spectrum of its risks and managing the combined impact of those risks as an interrelated risk portfolio. A mature ERM program enables an organization to:

ERC Risk Solutions, has team members have advanced skill in ERM and can guide your organization by:

Conducting a review of the ERM program/structure with a focus on the primary domains:

  • Legal/regulatory
  • Information technology
  • Clinical/patient safety
  • Operations
  • Hazard/environmental
  • Finance
  • Strategy
  • Human capital
  • Development of risk inventory and risk register
  • Use of diagnostic tools-heat map
  • Guiding in the formal creation of the ERM framework and committee process
  • Support for decision facilitation and decision analytics
  • Guiding on the method to calculate TCOR (total cost of risk)
  • Providing education to staff, leadership and the Board
  • Assisting with implementing ERM
  • Incorporating the concepts of value creation and value protection
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