Choosing risk assessment tools

In an interview with Medical Economics Assistant Editor Austin Littrell, Andrea Greco, SVP of healthcare safety at CENTEGIX, highlighted some clinically tested risk assessment tools that are available to practice leaders, including:

• OSHA/CDC assessment tools: A variety of assessment tools, ranging from monitoring checklists to comprehensive evaluations requiring extended periods to complete, are available through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC): This tool focuses on six key areas, including aggression and agitation, using a binary scoring system to determine the level of threat.
• HCR-20: A more in-depth assessment tool that examines 20 different categories, but it requires an additional time investment and specialized training.

Greco emphasized that regardless of the risk assessment tool that a practice uses, it's critical that all patient- and community-facing employees be properly trained to identify and assess risks.