Which practice is aimed at controlling or minimizing incidents that may result in injury to patients and staff?

Risk management is fundamentally focused on identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks followed by the coordinated application of resources to minimize the likelihood and impact of potential incidents that may lead to injury for both patients and staff. This practice involves systematic processes to mitigate risks, which could involve implementing safety protocols, conducting staff training, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards to create a safer environment.

In contrast, crisis management pertains to the strategies used to respond to an incident that has already occurred, rather than preventing it from happening in the first place. Incident reporting refers to the documentation and analysis of incidents after they happen, which is a component of risk management but does not constitute its entirety. Emergency preparedness focuses on responding to emergencies and is essential for readiness but does not address the overarching strategy of risk mitigation that risk management encompasses. Therefore, risk management effectively embodies the proactive approach required to minimize harmful incidents in a healthcare setting.