Although
patient care depends on a team work, duty consciousness, but somehow this
cohesiveness doesn’t come to the expectations of patient care; hence a feeling
of dissatisfaction amongst patients at large. Whether it is a system failure,
lack of prescribed standards, organizational disarray, trust deficit or
attitude problem. A number of common problems arise within the 'expectation
zone', environment, circumstances where the patient or relatives appear rude,
aggressive or generally unpleasant or simply someone who does not want to
follow hospital regulations. Quality of care varies dramatically between
doctors and hospitals, but those differences are invisible to patients.
Criticism is easy but suggesting viable measures to take practical shape on the
ground needs outlook. All healthcare providers must understand what is expected
of them, they must also have the necessary resources, conditions and skills to
achieve the outcomes for which they are being held accountable. A best practice
standards establishes uniformity, consistency and continuity in care across
multiple individuals and levels, where receivers or providers
both can expect to be respected, involved, satisfied and above all safe
and appropriate care based on an individual's needs, not on personal
characteristics, or social status.
“You can't manage what you don't measure” - an old management adage holds good even today. Unless you measure something you don't know if it is getting better or worse. To ensure or improve quality of hospital services for effective delivery of standardized health services in any governmental or non-governmental organization. It may not be too late for the concerned authorities to enforce the policy of periodic accreditation, validation and certification of standards ( creates a check and balance system). Accreditation is widely accepted measure to improve healthcare representing a risk reduction strategy, that an organization is doing right things and doing them well, optimizing the likelihood of good outcomes, an organization opens its doors for an independent, top-to-bottom evaluation of patient focused care activities, as well as organizational systems. Thus accreditation policy and process will help you know what to measure and how? The goal is to ensure optimal health care, patient safety, and satisfaction.
(Dr Fiaz Fazili is a Quality Assurance expert on Healthcare Standards and Surgery Chapter leader for Joint Commission International for Accreditation of Hospitals).
fiazmfazili@yahoo.com
“You can't manage what you don't measure” - an old management adage holds good even today. Unless you measure something you don't know if it is getting better or worse. To ensure or improve quality of hospital services for effective delivery of standardized health services in any governmental or non-governmental organization. It may not be too late for the concerned authorities to enforce the policy of periodic accreditation, validation and certification of standards ( creates a check and balance system). Accreditation is widely accepted measure to improve healthcare representing a risk reduction strategy, that an organization is doing right things and doing them well, optimizing the likelihood of good outcomes, an organization opens its doors for an independent, top-to-bottom evaluation of patient focused care activities, as well as organizational systems. Thus accreditation policy and process will help you know what to measure and how? The goal is to ensure optimal health care, patient safety, and satisfaction.
(Dr Fiaz Fazili is a Quality Assurance expert on Healthcare Standards and Surgery Chapter leader for Joint Commission International for Accreditation of Hospitals).
fiazmfazili@yahoo.com
