Dear HIFA colleagues,
I am pleased to share the publication of our quality improvement report in BMJ Open Quality:
Strengthening patient safety in a Cambodian hospital through structured weekly reporting: a low-cost quality improvement initiative
https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/15/3/e003930
The paper describes the implementation of a structured weekly departmental reporting system in a tertiary hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Using iterative Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles, departmental champions, and routine multidisciplinary review, we sought to strengthen reporting, accountability, and follow-through on patient safety issues in a resource-limited setting.
The intervention was associated with improvements in reporting compliance, implementation of standard operating procedures, staff training, and selected patient safety indicators over the initial 12-week implementation period. The paper also discusses important limitations, including the need for longer-term evaluation of sustainability, reporting bias, and balancing measures.
We hope this experience contributes to the growing evidence that relatively simple and low-cost quality improvement interventions can support stronger patient safety systems in low- and middle-income countries, while recognising the importance of adaptation to local contexts.
I would welcome comments and discussion from HIFA colleagues, particularly regarding experiences with similar patient safety initiatives and approaches to sustaining quality improvement in resource-constrained health systems.
With best wishes,
Dr Suren Kanayan
HIFA profile: Suren Kanayan is the Administrative Manager at Central Hospital in Cambodia. Professional interests: Maternal and Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinical Practice, Healthcare System Strengthening in LMICs, Telemedicine and Digital Health Platforms. Email: skan71 AT yahoo.com