Which department within a health care facility is primarily concerned with minimizing risks to patients, employees, and visitors?

The department that is primarily focused on minimizing risks to patients, employees, and visitors is risk management. This area is dedicated to identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks within the healthcare environment. Risk management professionals work to ensure safety protocols are in place, create strategies to prevent accidents or incidents, and respond to any issues that may compromise safety or lead to liability. Their goal is to protect the well-being of all individuals in the healthcare facility while also safeguarding the organization from financial and reputational harm.

In contrast, quality assurance mainly focuses on maintaining and improving the standards of care delivered to patients, ensuring that clinical practices meet established guidelines. Facilities management is concerned with the physical environment of the healthcare facility, overseeing maintenance and operational efficiency rather than direct risk minimization. Human resources plays a vital role in managing personnel-related issues, such as hiring, training, and staff relations, but it does not specifically address the broader spectrum of risk management in the same way as the risk management department.