Authors: Lacey N LaGrone Amy K Fuhs Eduardo Huaman Egoavil Manuel J A Rodriguez Castro Roberto Valderrama Leah N IsquithDicker Jaime HerreraMatta Charles N Mock
Publish Date: 2016/11/28
Volume: 41, Issue: 4, Pages: 963-969
Abstract
Evidence for the positive impact of quality improvement QI programs on morbidity mortality patient satisfaction and cost is strong Data regarding the status of QI programs in low and middleincome countries as well as indepth examination of barriers and facilitators to their implementation are limitedThis crosssectional descriptive study employed a mixedmethods design including distribution of an anonymous quantitative survey and individual interviews with healthcare providers who participate in the care of the injured at ten large hospitals in Lima PeruKey areas identified for improvement in morbidity and mortality MM conferences were the standardization of case selection incorporation of evidence from the medical literature into case presentation and discussion case documentation and the development of a clear plan for case followup The key barriers to QI program implementation were a lack of prioritization of QI lack of sufficient human and administrative resources lack of political support and lack of education on QI practicesA national program that makes QI a required part of all health providers’ professional training and responsibilities would effectively address a majority of identified barriers to QI programs in Peru Specifically the presence of basic QI elements such as MM conferences should be required at hospitals that train pregraduate physicians Alternatively short of this nationallevel organization efforts that capitalize on local examples through apprenticeships between institutions or integration of QI into continuing medical education would be expected to build on the facilitators for QI programs that exist in Peru
Keywords: