Risk assessment Resources

Patient safety can be considered similarly to safeguarding, something which is everybody’s responsibility. Indeed, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) ‘Code of Conduct’ states that risk and escalating concerns form a key part of the nurse’s role to preserve safety (NMC, 2018). Nurses have the most regular contact with patients and therefore play an important role in the identification, recognition and reporting of risk and incidents, the response and escalation of potential harm, and the ongoing patient support throughout and post incident. This article discusses the importance of being familiar with the ‘NHS Patient Safety Strategy’ and how it incorporates risk, incidents and education. And essentially, how it relates to nursing and the need for all nursing interactions to be considered from a patient safety perspective. The topics covered include incident reporting, risk management,  learning from harm, quality improvement, and information sharing. The piece also highlights the significance of record-keeping.

Delivering the flu vaccination programme this coming season will be a greater challenge than ever before. The impact of COVID-19 on all healthcare services will also be felt when trying to deliver a vaccination programme in a short period of time to numerous patients, and perhaps an even greater number of patients than in previous years. There are various options in terms of delivery models and plans, but it is important that those who give the majority of vaccines in general practice, general practice nurses (GPNs), are involved in the planning of a delivery model which best suits the practice and the practice population. Careful risk assessment and documentation of decisions is important, as well as the ability to be flexible during the season and ready to offer flu vaccine to other eligible groups as the season progresses.

Pre-travel vaccine recommendations require a full individualised risk assessment. The traveller should then be informed about the specificity of the vaccines they should consider and told about their benefits and limitations. They should also be made aware of issues around certificate requirements and if these will apply to them. A well-informed traveller will understand that, although important, vaccines do not remove the need for precautions with food, water, insect bites and activities that increase risk. Routine immunisations and those recommended for special risk groups should not be neglected in favour of more rare and exotic vaccines. This article focuses on indications for travel vaccines only.