Understanding Autism: Enhancing Healthcare Security through Awareness and Inclusion

Ms. Caroline Stegeman is a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in healthcare and risk management; she specializes in clinical risk management and patient safety. Caroline holds a Master of Jurisprudence in Health Law and has extensive expertise in managing patient incidents, patient complaints, medical malpractice claims, emergency preparedness, and hazardous materials management. She has collaborated with large acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, behavioral health facilities, rural health organizations, FQHCs and urgent care clinics, focusing on proactive risk reduction strategies, quality improvement, root cause analysis, failure mode effects analysis, and workplace violence prevention to ensure the safety and security of patients, staff, visitors, and physicians.  Ms. Stegeman is also well-versed in regulatory and industry best practices, including those from TJC, CMS, DNV, and LDH, and possesses strong skills in patient safety, clinical risk management, hospital emergency preparedness, disaster management, and quality improvement initiatives. She is a faculty member for the American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM) and holds the credentials of Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Manager (CPHRM), Certified Patient Safety Officer (CPSO) and Orthopaedic Nurse Certification (ONC).