[Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/spotlight-patient-safety-and-ncds-51-q3... ]
From my experience working in a hospital in Cambodia, I have found that the problem is often not the absence of guidelines or policies. The difficulty is making them part of routine clinical practice.
One approach we have used is structured weekly reporting, with departments reviewing problems, discussing what happened, agreeing on actions, and following up on those actions. We also use departmental checklists and regular feedback. These are simple measures, but they create a regular process for identifying problems and checking whether changes are actually being made.
I think this is particularly important in settings where staff and resources are limited. A system for patient safety has to be practical enough for busy clinical teams to use consistently. It cannot depend only on developing new guidelines or introducing new technology.
For me, strengthening the health system means creating a clear link between evidence and what happens at the bedside: clear responsibilities, simple tools, regular review, and feedback to the people providing care. Local involvement is also important. Staff are more likely to identify problems and act on them when they are involved in finding the solutions.
I would be interested to hear what others consider the minimum practical system for patient-safety monitoring and improvement in overstretched primary-care and hospital settings in LMICs.
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