Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

Reactive risk reduction attempts to do which of the following?

1. Prevent future errors before they occur

2. Address problems that have already caused harm

3. Analyze data for potential improvements

4. Implement new safety technologies

The correct answer is: Address problems that have already caused harm

Reactive risk reduction focuses on responding to incidents and problems that have already occurred. Its primary goal is to address and rectify issues that have caused harm or could lead to further adverse events. This approach often involves analyzing past incidents to identify what went wrong and implementing corrective measures to prevent recurrence. In contrast, preventing future errors or analyzing data for potential improvements are proactive strategies aimed at anticipating problems before they occur. Implementing new safety technologies also typically falls under a proactive umbrella, emphasizing innovation to enhance safety moving forward. Reactive risk reduction specifically targets the aftermath of incidents, making it crucial for developing responses and tailored interventions following adverse events in healthcare settings.