Objectives of the Quality Summit:
* To update stakeholders and partners on progress over the past year
* To present the revised National Core Standards for inputs and endorsement
* To facilitate learning in five critical areas for fast-track quality improvement
* To showcase and recognise excellence amongst healthcare workers in the public and private sectors.
Expected outcomes or resolutions of the summit:
* Core standards adopted (with inputs)
* Suggestions for use of standards outlined
* Quality priorities endorsed
* Awareness campaign steps outlined
* 1 000-facility initiative steps outlined and projects / facilities identified
* Create 300 champions
Priorities for Quality improvement:
* Improve patient safety
* Infection prevention and control
* Availability of medicines
* Reduce waiting times
* Improve cleanliness
* Positive and caring attitudes
* Value and motivation
A declaration of the quality summit:
Why do values and motivation matter?
* because every health system is a human system, and values drive it; yet we know despite some positive experiences, that there is a demonstrated lack of values within the public health system
* improving quality within the system requires that we re-affirm our values.
Why do values matter to quality improvement?
* They matter because every health system is, at heart, a human system comprised of people and relationships and driven by the values that motivate and inspire those people
* Values drive change in health systems; they drive quality improvement. Yet, despite pockets of excellence, we all know that our public health system often only weakly demonstrates its values
* We need to re-affirm our values as we strengthen and build this system.
What values will drive quality improvement?
* Others should have positive view of us (the staff)
* A sense of pride in me as a professional
- I am person
- I can sleep at night (clear conscience I've done my best)
- Because I care
- Doing it the right way
* Trust in my health system because
- it's safe
- it has a client and community focus
- it shows it cares
- it empowers others
What can we do?
* Getting staff together in groups within their workplaces in facilities and across all levels of government, to reflect and work together to solve quality problems on a continuous basis
* Place living values and ethics on the agenda of all staff, all managers, and of our clients
* As managers, walk the talk of values and quality
* Mentoring for quality
* Align core Human Resource system to values e.g. Batho Pele in KPAs
* Professional recognition for values (CPD)
* Take governance forums seriously, like community forums
* Affirming and reaffirming professional values through our oaths
* Committing to a disciplined approach and taking action for discipline
* Being prepared to get back to the bedside
* Advocate for a caring culture.
How will we see a change?
* Through improved relations with patients, the development of mutual respect and an increase in positive comments even in the media
* Through improved motivation among health workers and a growing pride to be a public health worker, the greater use of public health services by civil servants
* In 1 000 quality improvement projects blooming and growing.
We commit to:
* walk the talk
* act in a disciplined manner and instil discipline
* assume role as quality improvement leaders
* commit to being care givers.
Issued by: Department of Health
25 November 2009
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
