Page 13 - Hospital Authority Convention 2017

Symposiums

S12.1 Inter-professional Collaboration 14:30 Convention Hall A

Health Service Accreditation Programmes: Their Role, Contribution and Associated Challenges to Driving
Quality, Safety and Organisational Improvement
Greenfield D HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2017
Australian Institute of Health Service Management, University of Tasmania, Australia

This presentation has three aims: to review health service accreditation programmes role, contribution and associated
challenges, to driving quality, safety and organisational improvement. First, the purpose of health service accreditation
programmes will be discussed. An accreditation programme is a mechanism to assess that an organisation has appropriate
structures and processes to promote safety and quality, that they are functioning effectively, and have a continuous quality
improvement focus to drive improvements. The accreditation of healthcare services remains a key regulatory mechanism
employed by many governments, at both national and state levels, to monitor and improve safety and quality.

We will review how accreditation programmes provide a framework for engagement and improvement across complex
healthcare organisations. We will review the literature to see how accreditation programmes have: stimulated improvements
in communication and cooperation among individuals and teams; encouraged and made transparent collegial decision-
making and team learning; realised the regular review and standardising of policies and guidelines; endorsed positive
organisational cultures and leadership; promoted a positive quality and safety culture, thereby promoting practice change;
and, been associated with improvements in clinical performance.

Nevertheless, there is still much to learn about under what circumstances and how an accreditation programme fosters
quality improvement and learning. Clarifying the distinction between the costs associated with implementing safety and
quality systems, and those with participation in an accreditation programme requires further attention. The difference is
confused by many and results in false claims about the cost of accreditation activities. Understanding the role of process
and quality indicators within an accreditation programme or their relationship to accreditation results is required. Another
significant challenge is the sustainability of the current programme model and the need for further evolution of the component
parts, including standards and surveyor workforces. These are perennial issues, inherent in the accreditation field, that
necessitates consideration.

S12.2 Inter-professional Collaboration 14:30 Convention Hall A

Inter-professional Collaboration in the Community
Chan F
Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Fung Yiu King Hospital, Hong Kong

In the past, healthcare services are mainly provided by the hospitals and outpatient clinics led by the medical team. Over the
years, community care services, including community nursing service, community geriatric assessment service, outreach
psycho-geriatric service, palliative care service, and domiciliary allied health services have been set up. The ultimate goal is
to provide an integrated, holistic, patient-centred and multi-disciplinary care for older patients with chronic diseases to stay
in the community, supported by healthcare professionals, family members as well as the social and welfare sector.
In this symposium, various inter-professional collaboration models will be presented. Integrated care model and patient Wednesday, 17 May
support call centre are two programmes targeted at high risk elders to provide continuing comprehensive support upon their
discharge from hospital. Community volunteer service is a medical-social collaboration with different community partners
to provide support and care in the form of a neighbourhood network. End-of-life care programme is an inter-specialty
programme in partnership with palliative care specialists for older adults with advanced diseases and limited life expectancy,
promoting advance care planning and quality care in residential care homes for the elderly. Dementia community support
scheme and carers’ training programmes are designed to provide support for older persons with mild to moderate dementia
in district elderly community centres operated by non-government organisations. A recently rolled out pilot programme,
aiming at improving drug adherence and minimising drug wastage for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive airway
disease, is an inter-professional collaboration, involving pharmacists, respiratory physicians, social workers, community
nurses and volunteers.

At the end of the presentation, key factors for successful implementation of inter-professional collaboration will be discussed.

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