National initiative launched to strengthen hospital quality, patient safety

A national initiative to strengthen hospital quality and patient safety was launched on Thursday by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Mount Sinai Health System, signalling a decisive shift in Guyana’s healthcare transformation.

The initiative, supported by Mount Sinai’s global expertise, including its collaboration with Joint Commission International (JCI), will eventually see Guyana begin laying the groundwork to meet international hospital accreditation standards.

Addressing healthcare leaders and practitioners, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony stressed that the country is moving “away from just talk to getting into action,” noting that while Guyana has made major strides in expanding infrastructure and staffing, the next critical phase is improving the quality of care delivered to patients.

Over the past four years, the health sector has expanded significantly, with some 450 facilities nationwide and an additional 5,000 personnel added to the system.

“We can build facilities and hire people, but if we don’t function as a cohesive team and measure how we impact patients, we will not achieve the improvements we are seeking,” he stated.

To drive the initiative, the ministry will establish a national hospital quality improvement council alongside regional and institutional committees to ensure accountability and continuity.

Dr Anthony acknowledged ongoing challenges, including inconsistent use of these guidelines despite extensive training. In the future, regional performance will be measured based on compliance.

Concerns about long waiting times and perceived lack of empathy were also addressed, with the minister urging healthcare workers to improve responsiveness and communication.

“It doesn’t take much to check on a patient, but when we don’t, it reflects poorly on the quality of care,” he stated.

In tandem, the ministry is advancing digital transformation across the sector, including the rollout of electronic health records, e-prescribing, and integrated lab and imaging systems. Pilot programmes are already in place, with plans to expand nationwide.

Additionally, artificial intelligence tools are being introduced to assist in interpreting diagnostic imaging, further enhancing clinical decision-making.

The ministry will deploy monitoring teams to review patient records and assess adherence to established protocols to ensure compliance.

While the approach is intended to support improvement rather than punishment, persistent non-compliance could trigger corrective action.

Dr Anthony emphasised that transforming the health system will require sustained effort over time, but he expressed confidence that the initiative will elevate standards across all regions.

The initiative is part of a two-day workshop hosted by the ministry and Mount Sinai to standardise hospital quality and patient safety.

Dr Rachel Vreeman, Executive Director of Mount Sinai Guyana, said this initiative is only the beginning, adding that there are many areas of healthcare where these principles will be applied, and ongoing efforts will be made to ensure hospitals consistently provide high-quality care.

(DPI)