Before the launch of
London Perfusion Science the directors identified the
necessity for a suitable method of assessing clinical
risk. The unique nature and proposed high standards of
London Perfusion Science increased the importance for
having a quality and reliable method for assessing clinical
risk. The standard method for assessing this type of risk
was taken and customised for Perfusion/Perfusionists within
the London Perfusion Science environment. Protocols or
situations that were identified as a potential risk were
analysed with regard to how often they occurred and the
severity of the outcome. This process identifies genuine
risk and enables the company to prioritise the major risks.
The example that has
been chosen to illustrate the company's clinical risk
assessment process is a roller pump boot rupture at a
new client hospital.
Risks Identified
Gross air embolism
Micro air embolism
Prolonged low systemic pressure
due to termination of cardiopulmonary bypass
Risk Assessment
It is clear from the
clinical risk assessment flow chart (see above) that this
is improbable that it would occur and the severity of
the outcome would be major. The risk therefore requires
urgent action. The severity of the outcome is greater
due to the potential for the company's employees to be
working in an unfamiliar environment.
Action Taken
The company already
has a protocol in place for emergency pump boot change
out. The company's client hospital database will contain
information on where the emergency equipment is kept and
any local polices on the pump boot change out procedure.
This information will be acquired for the database before
any employee works at the hospital. A way of further reducing
this risk is for all employees to carry an emergency cardiopulmonary
bypass kit. This would contain the relevant equipment
(connectors, tubing, etc.), which will include a spare
pump boot.
London Perfusion
Science, 5 Great College Street, Westminster, London,
SW1P 3SJ Tel: 07703 182 420 Created
by web(creation)UK
