Evercare Raising the Bar: Securing Patient Safety and Quality in Emerging Markets

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, where innovation and accessibility intersect, ensuring patient safety and quality care stands as paramount. This holds especially true in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), where resource constraints pose significant challenges to effective healthcare delivery. As we navigate these complexities, Evercare Group remains steadfast in its commitment to raising the standard of care in emerging markets. In this article, we delve into the critical importance of patient safety and quality care in LMICs, showcasing Evercare's innovative strategies and impactful interventions aimed at driving positive change.

Patient safety and quality care are not just buzzwords; they are fundamental pillars of effective healthcare delivery. In LMICs, where financial, human, and material resources are often limited, these challenges are magnified. Recruitment and retention of quality staff, skill development, and reducing turnover rates present ongoing hurdles. Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure and limited access compound the challenge of providing safe, quality care. At Evercare, we recognize these challenges and are committed to addressing them head-on.

Innovative and scalable strategies tailored to the unique context of LMICs are essential in enhancing patient safety and care quality. Through collaborative efforts with local governments, non-profits, and other stakeholders, Evercare implements sustainable solutions that make a tangible impact. For instance, our partnership with nursing education institutions ensures a constant flow of well-trained nurses, enhancing patient safety through skilled care provision. Notably, Avenue, a part of Evercare Group, has forged strategic partnerships with esteemed institutions such as Aga Khan University Hospital and Amsterdam University. Discussions are underway with Amref and Joan School of Nursing in Kisumu, further expanding our network of collaborations aimed at professional development and capacity building.

Quality assurance and accreditation play a pivotal role in maintaining high standards of care. Evercare adheres to international standards and best practices, ensuring evidence-based healthcare delivery. Our hospitals have achieved accreditation with esteemed institutions such as JCI, COHSASA, PHC, NABH, and Safe Care, underscoring our commitment to patient safety and quality care. As we pursue excellence, additional hospitals are preparing for accreditation surveys, further solidifying our commitment to raising the bar.

Developing impact-driven models is crucial in driving substantial improvements in patient outcomes. Evercare's capacity-building and training programs equip our staff with the necessary skills to deliver quality care consistently. From nursing unit management development programs to basic and advanced life support training, we invest in our staff's continuous professional development. Through these initiatives, we empower our workforce to provide safe, quality care that makes a meaningful difference in patients' lives. In Lahore, partnerships with Maqbool Begum College of Nursing and NCS University in Peshawar contribute significantly to capacity building and skill enhancement.

Ensuring an adequate number of doctors in LMICs remains a challenge, exacerbated by the phenomenon of ‘brain drain’. Many skilled medical professionals seek opportunities abroad, leading to shortages in their home countries. Evercare Group acknowledges this issue and actively participates in initiatives aimed at reversing this trend. For instance, in Nigeria, we have observed a decline in medical tourism as we work to improve local healthcare services. By enhancing patient safety and quality care standards, we contribute to the retention of medical professionals and bolster the national economy.

In addition to addressing doctor shortages, Evercare focuses on maintaining and enhancing the skillset of doctors already within the workforce in these geographies. Continuous medical education programs and professional development opportunities ensure that our doctors remain at the forefront of medical knowledge and practice, thereby enhancing patient safety and quality of care.

Evercare also leverages digital teaching and learning platforms to conduct interdisciplinary workshops and training sessions for doctors and nurses. By embracing digital technologies, we ensure efficiency and accessibility in our training programs, facilitating cross-platform learning for our workforce. Moreover, Evercare is keen on developing digital archives for core content related to patient safety and quality care, enabling easy access to vital information for all our staff.

Data analytics and evidence-based practices form the cornerstone of our approach to driving improvements in patient safety and care quality. By collecting and analysing quality and safety indicators, we identify areas for improvement and implement targeted interventions. For example, an increase in surgical site infections prompted us to reinforce safety standards, resulting in a significant reduction in post-operative infections. This data-driven approach enables us to continuously enhance our processes and uphold the highest standards of care.

In summary, Evercare Group's commitment to raising the standard of care in LMICs is unwavering. Through innovative strategies, collaborative partnerships, and evidence-based interventions, we strive to secure patient safety and quality care in emerging markets. However, the journey is ongoing, and the need for innovation persists. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to driving positive change and advocating for patient safety, ensuring that healthcare remains a fundamental right for all.

Together, let us continue to raise the bar and build a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Written by: Irfan Khan, Chief Commercial Officer, and Susan Pos, CNO and Head of Quality of Evercare Group

References:

1.?????? World Health Organization. Patient Safety. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patient-safety

2.?????? Joint Commission International. Accreditation. https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/accreditation/

3.?????? National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. https://www.nabh.co/about-nabh.aspx

4.?????? SafeCare Standards. https://safecarestandards.org/about-us/