Insights and Takeaways from a Recent ORN Gathering

Marc Aiello
Delegates from the Ontario Risk Network (ORN) meet at HIROC
Delegates from the Ontario Risk Network (ORN) meet at HIROC

Collaboration has always been at the core of our mission to improve patient safety at HIROC.

We’re committed to facilitating knowledge-sharing opportunities for our Subscribers, such as our Safety Symposiums in the East Coast and Prairies/Territories, where learning and professional growth happen through exchanging ideas.

In late September, HIROC supported over 60 members from the Ontario Risk Network (ORN) to come together and have committed conversations on risk. This in-person gathering was an opportunity for attendees to learn from one another and have candid conversations on the latest industry trends.

“It was an incredibly rewarding day,” said Nataly Farshait, Director of Healthcare Safety and Risk Management at HIROC. “The depth of the conversations was truly inspiring, and the openness demonstrated speaks to the strong foundation of trust Bronwyn Edgar, the initiator of this group, cultivated across this network. Watching participants engage, learn from one another, and leave with practical, actionable insights is a clear reminder of the purpose behind our work.”

Farshait emphasized the crucial role HIROC’s Risk Management Coordinators Claudette Moulton, Marianna Colosimo, and Queenie Huang played in supporting the group throughout these discussions.

"Their dedication to ensuring that every detail was accounted for, from the exercises to the follow-up insights, was invaluable. It's this kind of behind-the-scenes leadership that enables us to foster such open and productive dialogues."

What Risk Professionals Should Know

The ORN meeting featured a diverse range of sessions covering risk management’s most pressing topics that can be valuable for healthcare organizations across Canada.

Here are some of our key takeaways from the day.

Legal Trends & Other Considerations

The overarching message of the day’s legal sessions was clear: Subscribers should “never be uncertain alone” and know that HIROC is always here as your partner.

HIROC’s Trevor Hall, Vice President of Healthcare Safety and Risk Management, and Gordon Slemko, General Counsel, led a discussion on trends they are seeing in claims today.

A central takeaway was the critical importance of thorough documentation, both before and during an incident. Our minds are fallible, and proper documentation helps ensure transparency, accountability, and clarity in decision-making. Slemko emphasized that it’s essential to not only record what was done, but also the context in which decisions were made, and which teams or groups were involved in the process. HIROC’s Documentation Guide can assist with this.

“It’s not enough to do the right thing,” Slemko reminded attendees. “You also need to document that you did the right thing.”

HIROC’s Jonathan Gutman, Legal Counsel, led the final legal session, which looked at principles of the Quality of Care Information Protection Act (QCIPA) in Ontario. Gutman said that if organizations consider applying QCIPA, they should also create the appropriate infrastructure around it, recommending forming a dedicated committee to oversee the process and ensure compliance.

Artificial Intelligence, From Policy to Implementation

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to rapidly influence and reshape our healthcare system, Ginny Martins, Team Lead, Privacy, at William Osler Health System, discussed privacy concerns and addressing AI with a structured approach from a policy perspective.

Martins emphasized that risk managers should be taking an active role in educating and supporting their staff when it comes to AI. She stressed that guidelines aren’t sufficient and organizations must consider the regulatory landscape and integrate strong cybersecurity policies.

Martins also talked about establishing an AI governance committee at William Osler, complete with terms of reference. Their external scan of industry practices helped them develop a comprehensive policy that recognizes AI’s limitations while maintaining strict patient privacy and confidentiality. Access to any AI tools that haven’t been approved by the committee must be formally reviewed to ensure compliance.

HIROC’s Leo Dias, Vice President of Performance Excellence and Information Services, also spoke to the safe adoption of AI in healthcare at the meeting. During his session, Dias emphasized how current challenges, such as staffing shortages and burnout, can provide an opportunity for both AI and human ingenuity to shine.

“There’s an immense opportunity for AI to free up some time and boost productivity,” said Dias. “However, risk managers are the ones who must ask critical questions about how AI can be safely adopted within their healthcare organizations.”

Dias recommended HIROC’s AI guide as a good launching place for education around AI. It’s critical for risk professionals to educate themselves, stay current with AI uses in healthcare, and set standards for privacy and its use by staff in their organization.

Healthcare Risk Management, a Joint Effort

While discussing the challenges of managing risks effectively, including the potential for critical information to be lost in tracking when data is siloed, Edgar Chavez, Client Safety Officer and Risk Manager at Baycrest Health Services, emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing.

In his session focused on the complementary nature of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Integrated Risk Management (IRM), Chavez looked at the difference between strategic and operational risks. He recommended linking strategic risks that severely impact an organization, such as cyber threats, to the organization’s strategic plan to keep on top of them. 

Chavez also mentioned establishing a risk committee composed of their organization’s directors and risk managers, chaired by a vice president, to provide a platform for individuals to raise and address risks more effectively.

Responding to Real-Life Scenarios

Collaborative exercises demonstrate the importance of working together to solve a collective problem in the moment. HIROC’s Senior Healthcare Risk Management Specialists Wendy Hooper, Lori Borovoy, and Enid Siu, led two group engagement sessions at the meeting.

The exercises focused on current topics, such as generative discussion around risk considerations and mitigation strategies when considering AI implementation and cyber incident response.

During the sessions, participants shared unique perspectives and solutions. The group also paid special attention to the impact on non-healthcare workers, including the effects of burnout and healthcare human resources shortages.

 


 

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By Marc Aiello, Communications and Marketing Specialist, HIROC