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Risk Management

Risk Management is a division in The Ohio State University Office of Legal Affairs. We are focused on Surveillance, Advice, Education and Engagement, and Litigation Support. Our team consists of 6 attorneys, 4 clinical risk managers, and a paralegal. 

Risk Management is on-call 24/7 for any legal or risk-related questions or concerns (614-293-8446, pager 2001). When paging, please include the full phone number, including area code, so we can call you back. Risk Management can also be reached through email at: legal-service@osumc.edu.

Areas of Responsibility

Risk Management supports the mission of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center by promoting patient safety, reducing organizational risk, and strengthening a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. We partner closely with clinical, administrative, and, in some cases, academic units across the Medical Center to identify issues early, respond effectively, and help teams  navigate complex regulatory and legal environments.

 

What We Do

Risk Management provides coordinated support in the following areas:

Patient Safety & High Reliability
  • Reviews all patient safety event reports submitted to the PSRS and conducts investigations, specifically issues that could  be sentinel events under The Joint Commission standards
  • Root Cause Analyses (RCAs) and collaborative review processes in support of Quality and Patient Safety
  • Participation in High Reliability Organization (HRO) practices, such as Common Cause Analysis and Just Culture
Committee Support
  • Risk Management teams members sit on 80+ committees throughout the Medical Center to provide legal and risk advice
Regulatory & Accreditation Support
  • Policy review and guidance
  • Assistance with regulatory responses involving The Joint Commission (TJC), Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (ODBH), FDA Medical Device Reporting, restraint reporting, and other regulatory bodies
Medical Staff Support
  • Guidance and assistance on medical staff matters
Education for Faculty & Staff
  • Training and consultation on legal and risk related topics
  • Education on advance directives, health care power of attorney (HCPOA) questions, and other issues that arise in patient care
Patient Experience & Grievance Support
  • Collaboration with Patient Experience to review and respond to patient grievances
  • Guidance to ensure responses align with regulatory requirements and institutional values
Workplace Safety
  • Partnership with teams across the medical center to support a safe environment for faculty, staff, and learners
Leadership & Organizational Support
  • Consultation for leaders on emerging issues, sensitive matters, and risk mitigation strategies
  • Assistance during incidents requiring coordinated institutional response

Risk Management Contact Information

On-call: 614-293-8446, pager 2001

Email: legal-services@osumc.edu 

Risk Management Practice Group Leadership

Risk Management Contact List