Hospital Safety and Security 1.

Risk Factors and Potential Consequences

Abstract

Healthcare facilities, including hospitals, are part of critical infrastructure, both from a technical and a social point of  view. Their most important task is to provide medical care,  which must be provided at all times, even in emergency  situations. For this reason, the question of what external  and internal hazards pose a risk in hospitals and what  protection solutions can be put in place to reduce them is  an important issue. In Part 1 of this two-part series of  articles, we have assessed the risk factors, exploring their  possible causes, based on international safety  recommendations, our own experience and a collection of  real cases. The grouping of risks and hazards is important to identify the actors and roles involved in prevention and  risk reduction. Based on our research work, it can be stated  that external and internal hazards, intentional damage and  accidental failures can be important risks for hospitals. In  Part 2 of this article series, we will use the types and  characteristics of the risk factors identified earlier, based on  international safety recommendations and our own  experience we determine whether they are avoidable and,  if so, what preventive safety design or activity can be used  to reduce their risks and impact. Based on our research, it  can be stated that hazards to hospitals cannot be completely avoided, but that risks can be reduced by safety  measures. In this series of articles, we have identified  specific risk factors that affect hospitals and suggested  possible ways to reduce or avoid them. An important factor,  however, is that each institution has a unique  function and design, so in addition to general guidance, it is always necessary to carry out specific analyses and  identify the necessary preventive actions. These can significantly  improve the operational safety of healthcare institutions,  particularly hospitals, and also have an impact on their  economic and social image.