Risk management in clinical practice. Part 1. Introduction

This paper introduces a number of concepts that will recur throughout the series. It examines firstly the rationale behind what triggers patients’ complaints and explores the concepts of precipitating and predisposing factors. If patients are dis- satisfied they may seek legal redress and clinical negligence is explained briefly with an explanation particularly of breach of duty and causation. Record keeping is an integral part of delivering high quality care and ten essential requirements are listed. Where patients request it or treatment is more complex than the practitioner can manage, a referral should be considered. An outline of risk management principles are given with emphasis on learning from mistakes.