Document an important step forward for patient safety agenda

A DOCTOR WRITES:YESTERDAY'S PUBLICATION of a document on national standards for safer healthcare by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) represents an important step forward for the patient safety agenda.

Ever since the Neary case and the Harding Clark report into obstetric practices at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, the need to prioritise the safety of patients has been obvious.

Events since then, such as questions about the quality of breast cancer care and the referral letter and X-ray problems at Tallaght hospital, have further signalled an imperative to strengthen safeguards for patients.

The new standards are well laid out and are specific.

For those using a particular service, they must be given clear information on the type of treatment they can expect; this must be based on the most up-to-date knowledge and national guidelines.

The standards will place an onus on health service providers to plan better for potential surges in demand and to monitor and evaluate the quality and safety of care.

This is to be achieved by mechanisms focused on patients, such as patient experience audits and unannounced “walkabouts” by regulators.

A crucial recommendation in the light of the fault lines exposed at Tallaght hospital earlier this year, spells out the obligation on teams and individuals to safely transfer a person’s care from one part of the health system to another.

It may seem self evident; however, recent events suggest little more than lip service has been paid to the thorough transfer of patients from acute hospitals to primary care.

The report recognises that error can never be fully eradicated from healthcare. When a patient experiences an adverse outcome, hospitals must respond promptly.

It is also important to support the patient throughout the response process and to provide feedback on why the untoward event occurred.

There is an interesting standard highlighted in reference to budgetary issues which is likely to become a major issue in the months ahead. In it, hospitals, clinics and others are told they must consider the potential implications for quality and safety of care when they are asked to make savings to their allocated budget.

Another change that will be welcomed by patients is a commitment to provide access to their own personal health records.

The National Standards for Safer, Better Healthcare is a consultation document and it is vital that people use the opportunity to respond to its proposals. It has specific questions for people to consider. A consultation form is also available at www.hiqa.ie.

We are all potential patients of the system; this is our chance to fine-tune the final standards for safer healthcare in the future.