Quality improvements in 2021 focused on preparing a Quality and Patient Safety Plan and acquiring a quality system covering all occupational groups – JCI accreditation.
Our aim was to begin accreditation inspections at the first six departments, but in the autumn we discovered that the three-year agreement with JCI that needs to be signed before the inspection visits cannot be signed for various reasons, including the reorganization required due to the health and social services reform.
In 2021, we began work on quality system procurement not only for the first six departments but also for all other clinical departments. Because of the hiatus in JCI work, we set up a working group titled ‘Quality system selection’ led by the Chief Quality Officer in November. Its purpose is to evaluate which quality system would be best for HUS according to our current knowledge.
Aiming to provide access to parts of the Guideline Databank to primary health care
In the Guideline Databank project, our focus was on transferring care and patient guidelines to the Databank. We have been working with primary health care to explore possibilities to allow primary health care operators access to relevant HUS guidelines.
International quality cooperation with Mount Sinai Hospital in New York continued. We are also improving quality in the Magnet Hospital project focusing on the quality of nursing and with certifications/accreditations for a number of support services.
Patients can also file safety event reports
The HaiPro safety event report system is an essential element in improving patient safety. At the moment, it is the best way for gaining information on the operations of the various units, and several important development needs emerge from these notifications every year. In May, we made it possible for patients to file safety event reports.
Digitalization projects make our services more customer-oriented and uniform, both of which are key elements in quality improvement. The phased introduction of the new Apotti patient information system had an impact on quality work through reporting, standardization and patient safety monitoring.
New ways for improving quality discovered during evaluation rounds
Our quality improvement work also includes evaluation rounds undertaken according to JCI guidelines. We have trained HUS employees as observers to conduct evaluation rounds in units and to work with unit personnel to find ways to improve quality.
It is required in the Health Care Act that every health care organization must have a plan for the implementation of quality management and patient safety. In public health care, the Quality and Patient Safety Plan (LAAPO) also serves as the self-monitoring plan for the organization. Patient safety is a component of quality, but because of its importance it was included in the very title of the HUS Quality and Patient Safety Plan.
The LAAPO plan is discussed by the LAAPO management team and the HUS Executive Group before the Executive Board of Joint Authority HUS approves it.