Risks are potential events or situations that may occur in the future and have an impact on our goals.
Identifying and reporting a risk creates awareness of an issue that could cause harm or impact the objectives of clinical education. Our Clinical Education Risk Management Framework provides a process for risk analysis and assessment to ensure prompt action is taken.
Risk management in MDHS Clinical Education involves four stages:
- In the first stage, it is crucial to identify and report any potential risks that will impact clinical education
- The second stage involves evaluating and strategising the identified risk by understanding the consequences it could have on the Faculty and University.
- The third stage involves seeking approvals and/or amendments to policies or processes that may reduce the overall risk rating.
- In the fourth stage, ongoing governance is essential to maintain a productive risk management culture.
If you require assistance from CESAR, you can also request this via the Risk and Incident Reporting Form
Risk Triage
To ensure appropriate action is taken, reported risks are first categorised into Low, Medium, High, and Very High. Instructions on how to rate a risk are provided in the framework. CESAR will ensure the risk is included in the Clinical Education Risk Register and complete a strategy assessment of the risk to provide feedback. Someone from the committee will be in touch within 48 business hours to discuss the risk in further detail.
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Steps: Low Risks
Where the risk is identified as low, this should be reported to the line manager or supervisor and an action plan should be developed to reduce the risk. This can be managed at a local level and does not require escalation unless the risk increases in severity.
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Steps: Medium Risks
Medium risks require further reporting, communication and escalation. These should be reported to the line manager or supervisor and Head of School first, then reported to CESAR via the reporting form. The department/school will complete an assessment and include it in the report to CESAR.
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Steps: High & Very High Risks
This level of risk requires immediate attention because if it were to eventuate into an incident, the consequences could have a serious impact on the objectives of clinical education. The risk should be reported to the line manager or supervisor who will need to ensure that it is reported to the Head of School.
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Risk Rating Descriptions
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Process Map
Incidents resulting in actual or potential harm to stakeholders involved in clinical education or to the strategic objectives of clinical education must be reported. Stakeholders can include students, patients, UoM staff, and non-UoM staff involved in our clinical education programs and educational settings.
Reporting an Incident
To report an incident, the following information needs to be collected:
- Time, date, location
- Summary of events
- Any involved parties
- Level of consequence
- Actions being taken to resolve the incident
- Recommendations to mitigate the incident from reoccurring need to be reported.
An incident's severity must be rated to ensure appropriate action is taken promptly. Refer to Incident Triaging below.
If you require urgent assistance, please contact - Kylie Erben, Clinical Education Strategy and Risk Project Officer (k.erben@unimelb.edu.au)
Incident Triaging
If reported to CESAR, someone will reach out to discuss the incident and its solutions in further detail. An assessment of the incident will take place prior so any feedback can be provided.
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Steps: Low Incident
This needs to be internally reported to the line manager or supervisor. Ensure you discuss how to resolve the incident and act on it without delay.
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Steps: Medium Incident
In addition to reporting this to the line manager or supervisor, you must report to CESAR via the form above as soon as possible after notification of the incident has been received. An action plan needs to be developed to understand what steps need to be taken with the line manager or supervisor and ensure that the Head of Department is made aware.
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Steps: High or Very High Incident
In addition to reporting this to the line manager or supervisor, you must report to CESAR via the form above as soon as possible after notification of the incident has been received. An action plan needs to be developed to understand what steps need to be taken with the line manager or supervisor and ensure that the Head of Department and Head of School is made aware.
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Incident Rating Descriptions
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Process Map
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Clinical Education Risk Management Framework
This Clinical Education Risk Management Framework describes a common process for how risks are identified, assessed, treated, reported, monitored, and reviewed in Clinical Education in the Faculty of MDHS.
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Governance
Monitoring and review of risks in Clinical Education in MDHS are undertaken by both individuals and committees through the governance process.
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Supporting Students in Clinical Placements
Supporting students in clinical placements involves providing a structured and positive learning environment that encourages growth, development, and learning.