Risk Management in Executive Levels of Healthcare Organizations: Insights from a Scoping Review (2018)

BACKGROUND: This study attempted to present a framework and appropriate techniques for implementing risk management (RM) in executive levels of healthcare organizations (HCOs) and grasping new future research opportunities in this field. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted of all English language studies, from January 2000 to October 2018 in the main bibliographic databases. Review selection and characterization were performed by two independent reviewers using pretested forms. RESULTS: Following a keyword search and an assessment of fit for this review, 37 studies were analyzed. Based on the findings and considering the ISO31000 model, a comprehensive yet simple framework of risk management is developed for the executive levels of HCOs. It includes five main phases: establishing the context, risk assessment, risk treatment, monitoring and review, and communication and consultation. A set of tools and techniques were also suggested for use at each phase. Also, the status of risk management in the executive levels of HCOs was determined based on the proposed framework. CONCLUSION: The framework can be used as a training tool to guide in effective risk assessment as well as a tool to assess non-clinical risks of healthcare organizations. Managers of healthcare organizations who seek to ensure high quality should use a range of risk management methods and tools in their organizations, based on their need, and not assume that each tool is comprehensive.