News | Medico-legal affairs
Gauteng Health Department outlines measures to reduce adverse events in the province's hospitals
Time to read: 01: 57 mins
Time to listen: 03:43
Published on MedED: 30 September 2024
Type of article: News
MedED Catalogue Reference: MNG0048
Category: News
Category Cross-reference: Public Health, Medico-legal affairs
Keywords: Gauteng Department of health, adverse events, medico-legal claims
Top
Type of article: News
MedED Catalogue Reference: MNG0048
Category: News
Category Cross-reference: Public Health, Medico-legal affairs
Keywords: Gauteng Department of health, adverse events, medico-legal claims
Top
30 September 2024, 14:00
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDH) is set to launch a comprehensive plan aimed at mitigating serious adverse events (SAEs) in state healthcare facilities.
In 2023 alone, the department recorded a staggering 9,390 SAEs, which encompass a range of critical issues such as birth defects, disabilities, extended hospital stays, and fatalities. This alarming statistic has prompted Health & Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to take action amidst growing scrutiny of patient care standards.
To address these concerns, the MEC has outlined a five-point strategy designed to enhance staff effectiveness and improve patient safety. The key components of this plan include:
1. Prompt Reporting: All SAEs must be reported within 24 hours, accompanied by rigorous investigations.
2. Specialized Training: Training programs will be instituted for officials and managers to elevate their skills in preventing and reporting SAEs.
3. Self-Assessments: Facility management will conduct comprehensive self-assessments to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
4. Governance Structures: Establishment of specialist governance frameworks aimed at promoting learning, support, and informed decision-making.
5. Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous evaluation of quality improvement initiatives will be implemented to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
As part of the department’s commitment to enhancing healthcare quality, 29 officials from 10 facilities have already faced disciplinary action.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasized the importance of implementing recommendations from investigations to bolster safety protocols across all facilities.
However, the persistent increase in SAEs has raised concerns among opposition leaders, particularly Jack Bloom, the DA shadow MEC for health.
He highlighted that the figures have escalated from 4,170 in 2019 to 6,910 in 2021, suggesting systemic issues within the healthcare framework, inadequate accountability, and leadership challenges. Bloom provided a breakdown of SAE occurrences at major academic hospitals, revealing high rates, notably at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, which reported 1,169 SAEs. He pointed out that a concerning number of incidents were also recorded at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, raising questions about oversight and management across the remaining 27 facilities under GDH jurisdiction.
While the newly proposed measures are a step in the right direction, Bloom's critique underscores the need for a more thorough examination of the department's overall performance and commitment to patient safety across all healthcare facilities in Gauteng.
This story was compiled from various sources including:
25 September 2024| The Citizen | Gauteng Health adjusts procedures after 9 000 serious adverse events reported in 21 months
7 July 2024 | eNCA | Gauteng Health reduces billions worth of medical-legal claims
Prinsen, L. (2023). The leading causes of medicolegal claims and possible solutions. SAMJ: South African Medical Journal, 113(4), 1140-1142. https://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i4.134
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