Identification and Qualitative Assessment of Hospital Risks
Many medical facilities are overwhelmed by the increasing number of flu cases, and people lack masks, hospital beds, and vaccines (Sanders & Wood, 2019). The risk continues to increase, workers run out of essential supplies, and working conditions become harsh. Therefore, the risk of staff shortage remains massive, and many employees take sick days. Heisler & Bandow (2018) explained that young workers have stronger immune systems and are less susceptible to viruses.
However, older workers have more experience, and the risk of poor medical care increases when they are not available for assistance. The medical center’s reputation can start to decline as treatment outcomes may not meet patient and family expectations. Furthermore, the risk level is moderate, as negative incidents can impact the hospital’s public image and raise legal concerns. In this case, the risk of losing the license also increases, and the center’s operations can be stopped.
Strategic Risk Response Options for Lamont Memorial Hospital
The Lamont Memorial Hospital should develop a strong solution strategy in response to these risks. The plan can enhance the process of resource management and prioritization of allocating additional beds and purchasing extra vaccines for the potential future unpredictable flu epidemic. Staff’s working schedules should also be strictly followed to ensure that there are enough workers to cover in case of an emergency. The hospital should not neglect protection plans for workers, and it is crucial to apply all possible methods to decrease the level of workers’ illnesses.
To address this issue, personal protective equipment can be introduced, as the world has learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that utilizing its own materials and goods can protect against serious health problems (Cook, 2020). To support the reputation of the Lamont Memorial Hospital, communication with stakeholders should be frequent and strategically planned. Medical workers should be trained to communicate effectively with patients to gather more information about their well-being and provide feedback on the treatment. Additional training can help increase the speed of effective decision-making and mitigate the risks that arise from it.
Enhancing Risk Preparedness Through the Enterprise Risk Management Continuum
Systematic and comprehensive approaches can enhance the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) continuum and improve the response to the next flu season. It includes the identification of risks, potential impact, and the control of the effectiveness of applied strategies (Malik et al., 2020). By adopting a risk mitigation process, hospital workers can easily identify the impacts of risks and allocate available resources effectively. In this case, collaboration should not be ignored, as cross-functional connections can enable different departments to work together and address risks quickly, ensuring positive outcomes.
Finally, the ERM framework should be regularly monitored, and reassessments of risks should be conducted. Existing measures may be outdated, and it is essential to stay current with modern trends. By leveraging the ERM continuum, the Lamont Memorial Hospital can stay prepared for the flu season and respond effectively to future epidemics.
Summary
In conclusion, Lamont Memorial Hospital faces a significant risk due to the increasing flu problem leading up to the Presidential Inauguration. The staff takes sick days, and insufficient supplies support patients’ health. The hospital should implement effective resource management and train its workers to communicate clearly and address the associated risks. Adopting an Enterprise Risk Management continuum may enable the monitoring of strategies and the detection of threats at an early stage. In this case, negative feedback from patients can be avoided, and the flu treatment can succeed.
References
Cook, T. M. (2020). Personal protective equipment during the coronavirus disease (COVID) 2019 pandemic – A narrative review. Anesthesia, 75(7), 920-927.
Heisler, W., & Bandow, D. (2018). Retaining and engaging older workers: A solution to worker shortages in the U.S. Business Horizons, 61(3), 421-430.
Malik, M. F., Zaman, M., & Buckby, S. (2020). Enterprise risk management and firm performance: Role of the risk committee. Journal of Contemporary Accounting & Economics, 16(1).
Sanders, N. R., & Wood, J. D. (2019). Foundations of Sustainable Business: Theory, Function, and Strategy (2nd Edition). John Wiley & Sons.