[Risk assessment: a concept analysis].

Risk assessments are conducted to assess the negative influences and potential losses related to a prospective goal or decision. The main practical purpose of risk assessment is to provide information, which can then be used to manage identified potential risks to avoid their occurrence or minimize their influence. To date, the risk assessments have primarily been applied to finance, environmental pollution and employment. Risk assessment has been applied only in a limited manner in the fields of medical treatment and nursing. Literature on risk assessment lack analysis that is systematic and complete. This article applies the methodology of Walker and Avant (2005) to analyze the concept of risk assessment. Steps include a review of the literature on conceptual definitions of risk assessment, determining the defining attributes of risk assessment, model construction, defining parameters and related cases, and identifying antecedents and consequences. Once completed, empirical references of risk assessment were explored. The authors hope that this analysis can assist nursing stuff to gain a better understanding of risk assessment concepts in order to apply knowledge gained to clinical practice. As such, nursing stuff will be able to apply the concept of risk assessment to identify risk, control risk, and reduce the occurrence and loss of accidents.