Performance Indicators for Quality in Surgical and Laboratory Services at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) In Tanzania

Objectives: Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), a teaching and national referral hospital, is undergoing major reforms to improve the quality of health care. We performed a retrospective descriptive study using a set of performance indicators for the surgical and laboratory services of MNH in years 2...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	East African journal of public health Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 13 - 16
Main Authors:	Mbembati, Naboth A, Mwangu, Mugwira, Muhondwa, Eustace P.Y, Leshabari, Melkizedek M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Tanzania East African Public Health Association 01-04-2008
Subjects:	African studies Health and Medicine Health Care Hematology - standards Hospitals Hospitals, Public - standards Hospitals, Teaching - standards Humans Laboratories Laboratories, Hospital - standards Medical equipment Quality Assurance, Health Care - methods Quality Indicators, Health Care Referral hospital, performance indicators, surgical services, laboratory services Retrospective Studies Surgery Surgery Department, Hospital - standards Tanzania Tanzania
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Summary:	Objectives: Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), a teaching and national referral hospital, is undergoing major reforms to improve the quality of health care. We performed a retrospective descriptive study using a set of performance indicators for the surgical and laboratory services of MNH in years 2001 and 2002, to help monitor and evaluate the impact of reforms on the quality of health care during and after the reform process. Methodology: Hospital records were reviewed and information recorded for planned and postponed operations, laboratory equipment, reagents, laboratory tests and quality assurance programmes. Results: In the year 2001 a total of 4332 non-emergency operations were planned, 3313 operations were performed and 1019 (23.5%) operations were postponed. In the year 2002, 4301 non-emergency operations were planned, 3046 were performed and 1255 (29%) were postponed. The most common reasons for operation postponement were "time-barred", interference by emergency operations, no show of patients and inoperable anaesthetic machines. Equipment problems and supply and staff shortages together accounted for one quarter of postponements. In the laboratory, a lack of equipment prevented some tests, but quality assurance was performed for most tests. Conclusion: Current surgical services at MNH are inadequate; operating theatres require modern, functioning equipment and adequate supplies of consumables to provide satisfactory care
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0856-8960 0856-8960
DOI:	10.4314/eajph.v5i1.38971