The inspector of health facilities in the Cayman Islands has reported that practitioners are improving their awareness of patient-centred care.
Barrie Quappé, Cayman’s health practice and facilities manager, has inspected 238 facilities since May 2010, following the introduction of new national standards for health-related premises in April 2010.
The national standards were developed by the Health Practice Commission with a view to regulating a level of quality in healthcare for the Cayman Islands, with the main themes being patient-centred services; the safeguarding and security of patient information; management and personnel; accountability, consistency and safety; and quality assurance.
The section referring to patient-centred services requires that each facility has its own policies and procedures in place to ensure that the care provided is patient-centred.
According to a news release issued this week, Ms Quappé found that while most practitioners are trained to work in this manner, most were initially not familiar with the extensive body of research regarding patient-centred care and this has “changed and improved their awareness”. The inspector has used research articles to guide health practitioners in writing their policies about patient-centred care.
For example, one research article defines patient-centred care as: “not just giving patients what they want, when they want it, regardless of value or cost. At its core, patient-centred care is about the healing relationships between physicians and patients and patients’ families. This relationship is grounded in strong communication and trust, highlighted by clinicians and patients engaging in a two-way dialogue, sharing information, exploring patients’ values and preferences, and helping patients and families make clinical decisions”.
The national standards also require that patient records are secured either electronically or physically. Some local clinics have installed locked cabinets for hard file copies, while others have ensured that their electronic database is password protected with back-up facilities overseas.
The national standards also cross reference with other government entities such as the Planning Department and the Fire Department to ensure compliance with the Cayman Islands Building Code and the Fire Brigade Law (1999 Revision).
For example, the national standards require that “all staff shall be trained in fire response procedures, and fire drills shall be conducted regularly”. The Fire Department has provided fire safety training to all staff employed in medical facilities seeking to be registered since May 2010. The national standards also require that “the structure and design of the facility shall be in compliance with the Cayman Islands Building Codes …” and the Planning Department has conducted inspections as needed to ensure all health care facilities comply.
“This is a success story of government departments working together for the public safety,” Ms Quappé said. “We asked these departments for their assistance, and they have been there even in this climate of limited resources.”
To find out if your doctor’s office meets national standards, look for the healthcare facility registration certificate, which is required to be on display. Check that the date of the certificate is current.
Endorsing the initiative, Health Minister Mark Scotland said: “The health of our people is our nation’s primary asset. Healthcare facilities are vital in the delivery of patient-centred care. I am pleased that this initiative, which is a collaborative effort between my ministry, the DHRS [Department of Health Regulatory Services] and other agencies has confirmed that our healthcare facilities are in compliance, and we will ensure that they continue to remain in compliance with the standards established by the Health Practice Commission.”
Deputy director of the Department of Health Regulatory Services Lyria Josephs said the work of the department was “a great precursor to the upcoming health conference that is focusing on patient-centred care”.
The theme of this year’s 20/20 National Healthcare Conference, set to take place from 18 to 20 October at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, is Patient-Centred Care: Achieving Quality Outcomes.
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