Risk management in the health sector: Case of a medical analysis laboratory in Morocco

Abstract

Risk management is a regulatory imperative in many countries and a requirement for any organization wishing to implement a QMS.

In the health sector, the occurrence of risks raises the question of the safety of patients, professionals and workplaces. In Morocco, in the hospital environment, and despite the significant and continuous efforts made for decades to prevent risks, risk management still raises many questions due to the lack of a comprehensive and integrated approach. 

The present study aims at setting up a global and integrated approach to risk management in the medical analysis laboratory of a hospital in Morocco. The target population is the staff of this laboratory (physicians, biologists, technicians and engineers) (N = 64). Two data collection instruments were used: a risk reporting form and an interview with the laboratory director.

The diagnosis of the situation showed the absence of a general, coherent and structured policy for risk management in the laboratory. We set up a specific risk monitoring and management system and established a training and awareness program for the staff. The study enabled us to identify thirty types of risk related to material-vigilance, Heamo-vigilance, logistics, security and the information system, and after analysis and definition of their criticality, we detected thirteen critical risks.  The most frequently reported causes were related to professional and organizational failures. Risk reduction actions and a follow-up plan were established for each type of risk identified. 

In general, the implementation of this approach would be more effective if it is formally framed by a global risk management policy, based on a transversal, coordinated and multidisciplinary approach.

Key words: Risk management, risk management approach, quality management system, and medical analysis laboratory.

JEL Classification: G32, I10

Paper Type: Empirical Research