At By Your Side, we carry out a monthly topic to enhance lives and excel in care. This month’s focus is on Risk Assessments – a fundamental part of delivering personalised, safe, and outstanding care. Throughout March, we will explore different aspects of risk assessments and how they are embedded into everything we do at By Your Side.
Step 1: Identify Potential Risks
Identify hazards that may cause harm, such as falls, medication management, or environmental risks. This should involve input from the client, their family, and care staff.
Step 2: Assess the Likelihood and Severity of Risks
Evaluate how likely each risk is to occur and the potential impact it could have on the individual’s safety and well-being.
Step 3: Develop Mitigation Plans
Outline steps to reduce or eliminate the risk, such as installing grab rails or providing additional training for carers.
Step 4: Implement the Plan
Ensure staff understand the mitigation measures and that they are integrated into daily care routines.
Step 5: Review and Update Regularly
Risk assessments should be reviewed regularly or whenever there is a change in circumstances, such as health deterioration or new environmental factors.
Action to Consider:
- Choose one client’s risk assessment and review whether it follows this five-step process.
- Identify any risks that have not been formally recorded.
- Schedule a team meeting to discuss how risk assessments are updated.