Risk Management and Quality Management in Long‐Term Care Organizations: A Collaborative Model

Abstract

AbstractThe U.S. long‐term care system is complex and heavily regulated, yet incidences of risks continue to occur and result in lowered quality of care, and adversely affect patient safety. Risks can be minimized and avoided to safeguard the health and well being of consumers utilizing long‐term care services. The key component to minimizing risks and potential hazards and ensuring high quality in long‐term care facilities is to integrate quality management programs and quality improvement efforts with risk management activities. Currently, risk management and quality management are two distinct functions in long‐term care organizations. Although some activities may be linked, actual coordination and true integration have not taken place. Expansion and integration of risk management and quality improvement functions will result in more effectiveness for both areas. This paper develops a rational model to demonstrate that coordination and integration between risk management and quality management are essential to the delivery of cost effective and quality services in long‐term care organizations.