ARHA uses bingo-hybrid to raise risk management awareness among staff
Contest reinforces idea that everyone has a role to play in risk management
Friday June 20, 2008 -- Jason Thompson
As part of Risk Management Awareness Week, the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority (ARHA) in Manitoba is encouraging its more than 3,000 staff members to take part in RISKO, a bingo-hybrid designed as a fun way to emphasize the important role each one of them plays in risk management.

As part of the RISKO contest, staff members in the health authority’s 20 acute care sites, 28 long-term care homes and community care settings, are asked to review the clues on the caller’s card and mark the correct answer on the corresponding RISKO card.

Once complete, the RISKO cards are returned to ARHA’s quality improvement and risk management department. Correct entries are eligible to win prizes such as golf balls, note pads or first-aid kits which have been provided by the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC).

Marcia Snyder, an administrative assistant with the ARHA, a HIROC subscriber, says the clues on the caller’s card were developed from a review of regional policies.

“The staff at the ARHA are always eager to take part in our contests and take risk management and patient safety seriously,” Snyder says. “The fax machine is receiving RISKO cards by the minute which shows that ARHA employees want what is best for our clients and staff."

Risk Management Awareness Week, which runs from June 22 to 28, is designed to advance the idea that everyone at the ARHA is a risk manager, which includes a commitment to prevent and reduce errors while promoting safe and quality care for patients.

“Everyone has a role to play in risk management,” Snyder says. “It is part of doing business in healthcare.”

If your organization is also striving to promote risk management awareness among staff, share your story by phoning the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25 or via e-mail at Jason(at)axiomnews.ca.

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