[Quality improvement, training and clinical governance: the role of the chief medical officer and his staff].

Purpose: To allow chief medical officers and their staff to contribute to implemented quality and clinical governance programs and consequently give a more precise identity, in terms of prestige and professional value, to a Structure that can contribute significantly to the development of a high quality hospital.

Methods: Terminology used was briefly described; tasks assigned to the chief medical officer and staff were then analysed and lastly, a hypothetical integrated training program was outlined for directors/managers.

Conclusions: Quality and professional training represent important tools for human resources management policy.

[Risk management project: reactive or proactive approach?].

Risk management in healthcare refers to the process of developing strategies aimed at preventing and controlling the risk of occurrence of errors and harmful events. The final objective is primarily that of increasing patient safety and secondarily, that of reducing the financial burden of adverse events. The implementation of a risk management system is therefore of vital strategic importance.