Adverse incident | Any event or circumstance that could have or did lead to unintended or unexpected harm, loss or damage to patients/public/staff or organisation |
Adverse event | Any event or circumstance that did lead to unintended or unexpected harm, loss or damage to patient/public/staff or organisation |
Assurance statement | A written declaration of confidence in an organisation |
Clinical Governance | Corporate accountability for clinical performance |
Compliance | The degree to which organisations adhere to risk management standards |
Controls Assurance | The system of management of risk which issued in NHS (England) based on best governance practice and Internal Control. It exists to inform NHS (England) boards about significant risks within the organisation for which they are responsible. It is intended to assist staff to identify risks, to help them to determine unacceptable levels of risk, and to decide on where best to direct resources to eliminate or reduce those risks. The use of self-assessment techniques is fundamental to the process in ensuring that objectives are met and risks are properly controlled. |
Cost | Cost of activities, direct and indirect, involving any negative impact, including money, time, labour, disruption, goodwill, political and intangible loss. |
Harm | Injury (physical or psychological) suffering, disability or death which was unexpected |
Hazard | A source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss |
Healthcare Associated Infection | Infection acquired in a hospital or other healthcare setting |
Incidence (of infection) | Rate at which new cases occur |
Likelihood | Used as a qualitative description of probability or frequency |
Near miss | Where no harm loss or damage is caused but could have resulted in harm, loss or damage in other circumstances |
Performance Assessment Framework | The method used within NHSScotland to measure performance of NHS Boards against agreed indicators |
Probability | Probability is the chance or likelihood of a specific event or outcome measured by the ratio of specific events or outcomes to the total number of possible events or outcomes. Probabilities may vary in value from 0 (no chance) to 1 (certain). It is sometimes expressed as a percentage |
Risk | The chance of something happening that will have an impact upon objectives. It is measured in terms of the severity of the consequence and frequency |
Risk assessment | The process used to determine risk management priorities by comparing the level of risk against predetermined standards, target risk levels or other criteria |
Risk management | The culture, processes and structure that are directed towards the effective management of potential opportunities and adverse effects |
Risk management process | The systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to the tasks of establishing the context, identifying, analysing, evaluating, treating, monitoring and communicating risk |
Risk reduction | A selective application of appropriate techniques and management principles to reduce either likelihood or an occurrence or its consequences, or both |
Stakeholders | Those people and organisations who may affect, be affected by or perceive themselves to be affected by a decision or activity |