The hierarchy of risks for medical organizations

The efficient functioning of medical organizations is closely related to various external and internal factors. To minimize negative impact of these factors it is necessary to implement risk management concept. The purpose of the study is to rank risks influencing functioning of medical organizations. The A. V. Zavrazhsky typology of risks was applied. The verification of sources of danger of financial risks affecting rational use of budget and non-budget funds of medical organizations was carried out. The questionnaire was developed to assess potential risks using six-point scale. The respondents (n=256) were proposed to evaluate degree of influence of risks on quality of medical care. The sampling also included heads of regional medical organizations participating in mandatory medical insurance system and subordinated to the Minzdrav of the Saratov Oblast. The following statistical methods were applied: goodness-of-fit test, Kruskal-Wallis H-criterion, Nemeni criterion, Fligner-Killeen test, permutation test.The financial risks (26%) occupy first place in structure of influence on efficiency of medical care, followed by general economic (24%), legal (18%), social (17%) and professional (15%) risks. The correlation between evaluation of risks, position and length of service of respondents was established. The insufficient funding at the expense of mandatory medical insurance funds is the most significant financial risk affecting quality of medical care.The study permitted to rank risks for medical organizations in the Saratov Oblast and to identify key factors affecting their assessment. The results of the study can be used in developping effective risk management strategies in medical organizations, targeted to improve quality and efficiency of medical care.