This article about Advanced Health was featured in Medical Chronicle and the full Dec/Jan 2023 issue can be read here.
THEY BOAST MODERN, compact facilities, equipped to provide sameday surgical procedures efficiently, with a strong focus on the quality of surgical outcomes at extremely competitive rates for patients and medical schemes. In 2021, it started with the process of becoming ISO certified. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accreditation is a three-year process and in October 2023 the group received accreditation. Annual audits will be conducted to ensure that the group remains compliant with the international standards. ISO certification ensures that a management system has all the requirements for standardisation and quality assurance, not only are the standards and level of quality set, they are also implemented. ISO is an independent, non-governmental, international organisation that develops standards to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products, services, and systems. ISO certifications exist in many areas of industry, from energy management and social responsibility to medical. ISO standards are in place to ensure consistency. Each certification has separate standards and criteria and is classified numerically. All nine Advanced Health hospitals received the accreditation as well as the affiliated day hospital in Somerset West Cape Town, Summerhill Surgical Centre which the group manages. “This year our team has gone above and beyond in elevating Advanced Health Group of Day Hospitals. Our hard work has rewarded us with international certification in Quality and Health & Safety. We are now officially the first and only day hospital group in South Africa to be internationally certified through ISOQAR. Our ISO 9001 and 45001 certification means we are internationally accredited in Quality and Health & Safety. This is a testimony to the exceptional and quality care you can expect from our facilities,” explained Anina de Bruyn Advanced Health’s Clinical and Quality Manager, who managed this project for Advanced Health.
Benefits Of Quality And Health And Safety Iso Accreditation For Day Hospitals
Quality: ISO 9001:2015 is established on quality management principles with a strong focus on customers. Day hospitals can benefit from consistently providing customers (doctors and patients) with a high standard of quality services.
Health and safety: ISO 45001:2018 is established on health and safety management principles with a strong focus on legal compliance. Day hospitals can benefit from consistently providing customers (doctors, patients and staff) with a healthy and safe environment with increased controls to ensure legal compliance.
| ISO 9001 and 45001 benefits for day hospitals: | |
| 1 | Increased efficiency – all processes are based on a quality focus and advanced positive outcomes and safety for patients |
| 2 | Increased revenue – attract more participation of doctors and patients, whilst streamlining processes and identifying cost saving opportunities |
| 3 | Greater employee morale – one target, reduced errors, increase of productivity, team efforts |
| 4 | International recognition – recognised in countries all over the world – not limited to healthcare in SA |
| 5 | Factual decision-making approach – business decisions are based on facts and practical implication |
| 6 | Reduce incidents – risk-based approach deals with risks before they turn into incidents, preventative measurement – methodology |
| 7 | Enhanced Reputation – accreditation gives customers assurance that you comply with international standards |
| 8 | Improved stakeholder relationships – improve collaboration with internal and external stakeholders |
| 9 | Improved record keeping – ISO ensures documented processes and records are maintained, implemented, regularly updated and relevant |
| 10 | Continuous improvement – using a risk-based approach spot areas for improvement and stay ahead of the competition |
| 11 | Demonstrates credibility – documented commitment to accountability and quality |
| 12 | Resource efficiency – resources are analysed and monitored to ensure efficiency |
| 13 | Established controls to ensure legal compliance – operational controls are based on legal and other statutory requirements |
| 14 | Established controls to ensure legal compliance – operational controls are based on legal and other statutory requirements |
| 15 | Reduced absenteeism – employees are protected in the workplace, reducing absenteeism and staff turnover |
| 16 | Reduced insurance premiums – Businesses benefit from reduced insurance rates for having accreditation |