CLINICAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CRM)

Program Philosophy

The West Vic Division of General practice is committed to promoting best practice, to enhance the quality of general practice and to improving the quality and safety of patient care.

Clinical Risk Management (CRM) is concerned with the detection, monitoring, prevention and early management of adverse events. An adverse event is an untoward patient event, which under optimal conditions is not a natural consequence of the patient's disease or treatment.

Small rural hospitals can find it difficult to sustain formal medical quality improvement, as there may be only one or two doctors with minimal administrative support.

The Division has assisted rural hospitals in this area by facilitating an anonymous peer review program, Limited Adverse Occurrence Screening (LAOS)

Program Aims

The aim of the program is to improve the quality and safety of patient care, by providing rural GPs with a peer review process, where experience and knowledge is shared throughout the rural medical profession in a non-threatening manner.

The program aims to promote discussion of adverse events and highlight educational opportunities in a non-punitive setting and offers recommendations for improved clinical care to GPs and hospitals.

The program also assists International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to discuss quality issues with their Australian trained peers and it can also assist with their orientation to the Australian health system.

Statewide Program

In 2002 the West Vic Division of General Practice was contracted by the Department of Human Services (DHS), to roll out the program model to five other lead Victorian rural Divisions: Goulburn Valley, Murray Plains, North East, Otway and South Gippsland.

All six participating Divisions have been contracted by DHS until 2011.

LAOS has enabled all rural hospitals and GPs to participate in a quality improvement program. Recommendations arising from all the programs have highlighted common issues that are applicable to all rural hospitals and general practitioners.

Useful Websites and Resources

Department of Human Services

Victorian Quality Council

CRM brochure for GP involvement (pdf version)

Clinical Risk Management Strategy Manual (pdf version)

Limited Adverse Occurence Screening program (LAOS) 2009 - 2010 Annual Report

For further information contact Ruth Guy or Claire Sladdin, Clinical Risk Management Team, West Vic Division p: 5352 4804

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