Risks Involved in Medical Records Processes of Al-Zahra Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Risk management nowadays is one of the main concerns of all professions in order to protect themselves as well as keeping a competitive edge in the market. Analyzing risks and their consequences (FMEA) is one of the techniques of risk assessment which has been used in this research to define and assess risks and prevention measures for the risk. Methods: In this descriptive, cross sectional study, medical record department of Al-Zahra hospital was studied. The researcher did observe work processes and interviewed with hospital staff during 1385-86 and then prepared a diagrammatic presentation of those processes. All processes were reviewed in detail and possible risks and consequences, severity, accordance, discovery and risk priority was defined through focus groups. FEMA was used in this research. FEMA was considered reliable due to its use by researchers in other countries and its validity is defined through expert opinion. Experts in medical record were consulted and suggested actions were discussed in a focus group and prioritized by department manager according to significance and implacability. Ranking was assessed according to the criteria of decision table in this research. Results: 24 out of 56 possible failures were related to admission office with the highest score related to “inability of admission personnel in re-reading admission order”. Conclusion: Techniques such as FEMA with emphasis on group work and prevention, enhance staff precision, and attention to their possible professional weaknesses as well as taking actions to prevent them. Key words: Risk Factors; Risk Management; Meta Analysis; Task Performance and Analysis; Hospitals; Medical Records