Vision First English 2018

21
QUALITY IN HEALTHCARE
Dr B Ramagopal
The WHO (World Health Organization) definition of quality of care is “the extent to which
health care services provided to individuals and patient populations improve desired health
outcomes. In order to achieve this, health care must be safe, effective, timely, efficient, equitable
and people-centered.”
1.Safe. Delivering health care that minimizes risks and harm to service users, including
avoiding preventable injuries and reducing medical errors.
2.Effective. Providing services based on scientific knowledge and evidence-based guidelines.
3.Timely. Reducing delays in providing and receiving health care.
4.Efficient. Delivering health care in a manner that maximizes resource use and avoids
waste.
5.Equitable. Delivering health care that does not differ in quality according to personal
characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, geographical location or socioeconomic
status.
6.People-centered. Providing care that takes into account the preferences and aspirations
of individual service users and the culture of their community.
Quality provision in health-care facilities requires competent and motivated health-care
professionals and the availability of essential physical resources, clean infection controlled
facilities, essential medicines, equipment and supplies. In addition, evidence-based
practices for routine and emergency care are required as well as information
systems that enable review and audit to take place.
Experience of quality care requires effective communication between patients, doctors and
nurses, as well as between other hospital staff and patients. Patients should know what to
expect, and be aware of their rights as well.
Patient safety is given utmost importance in quality conscious hospitals. This can be achieved
by safe practices and avoiding errors by both doctors and hospital staff.
Accreditation is another way to judge quality. Accreditation is a "seal of approval" given by a
private, independent group after a thorough inspection and audit. Health care organizations
must meet national standards, including clinical and managerial measures, in order to be
accredited.
The NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare providers) is one such
premier organization in India. Narayana Nethralaya is an NABH accredited hospital and each
and everyone in this hospital strives to the motto of providing "Patient Safety and Quality of
Care".
Narayana Nethralaya | Ranked Among The Top 10 Eye Hospitals in India Since A Decade | www.narayananethralaya.org