A Comparative Study of the Clinical Risk Management of Public and Private Hospitals in Ghana

Abstract

This study employs a multiple case methodology to compare the clinical risk management of public and private hospitals in Ghana. The results of the study reveal that both public and private hospitals in Ghana have clinical risk management policies which comply with the World Health Organization policy on patient safety. However, clinical risk management practices differ in the two types of hospitals. The public hospital was challenged with institutional culture and leadership, resource constraints as well as complex working environment. In the case of the private hospital, the challenge is in respect of structure, which tends to constrain the implementation of clinical risk management practices. A policy framework for effective and efficient clinical risk management is essential in reducing risks to patients, as well as addressing identified gaps in risk management practices across both hospital types as a measure of quality improvement.