Riskequip – are you equipped against risk?

Guild Insurance is pleased to launch of Riskequip for Vets – a dynamic risk management resource for the veterinary profession.

From the car park to the consultation room, there are a range of risks that a veterinary practice faces. Vets now have access to information on these risks and how they can be managed in one easy-to-use website at www.riskequip.com.au/vets. Riskequip consolidates the range of risk management materials developed by Guild in conjunction with the Australian Veterinary Association.

Your Risks

Riskequip highlights the various areas of risk that are commonly encountered in a veterinary practice. An awareness of these risks aids practices in maintaining a safe environment and preventing incidents, helping to protect your practice’s reputation

For example, in the Professional risk section you can review your exposure to risk in your clinical work.

Riskequip examines the underlying causes of claims and complaints in this area, identifying common factors such as inadequate communication, lack of consent, poor record keeping and the challenges of working on remote properties.

Riskequip also highlights other key risk considerations for the practice including security, occupational health & safety and public liability.

Self Check Q & A

An awareness of your exposure to risk helps you to identify opportunities for improvement. Riskequip has a number of questionnaires that enable you to perform a self-check of your management of risks at the practice. For instance:

Q: Are your electronic records accessible by unique identifiers or password only?

The software used should leave an electronic signature which provides an audit trail that can identify who has accessed a record. Authorisation and access levels are often facilitated using separate password that identifies a particular user profile.

Complete the self-check questionnaires to assess how your practice is managing risk. Risk management is a responsibility shared by all at the practice so consider encouraging all staff to complete questionnaires to get them thinking about the risks that might exist.

Articles and Case Studies

Riskequip also hosts a library of articles and case studies on topics such as apologising to customers, avoiding breeding claims and employee liability. Each article provides further insight into managing the risks in veterinary practice.

Spend a minute to think about risk, visit www.riskequip.com.au/vets