TROY, Mich.—Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. has launched a health care risk management and patient safety consultation practice and has appointed Michelle Hoppes to lead the unit.

Sedgwick CMS’ health care risk management practice serves hospitals, physician groups, health care systems, insurance companies and other health care organizations to improve performance and prevent medical errors and omissions that may result in medical malpractice claims, the Memphis, Tenn.-based third-party administrator said in a statement this week.

“During the last decade, risk management and patient safety have emerged as top strategic initiatives in the health care industry,” said David A. North, president and CEO of Sedgwick CMS, in the statement. “Changes in government regulations and payer components have further fueled the demand for expert consulting and resources.”

To lead the new division, Ms. Hoppes, previously president and CEO of Patient Safety & Risk Solutions Inc., was named senior vp and national director of health care risk management and patient safety of Sedgwick CMS, based in Troy, Mich. She also serves as president of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management.

The health care risk management practice is based in Troy.