Coast Provincial General Hospital, the second largest public hospital in Kenya, has significantly improved the quality of its services since 1998. These improvements, as well an improved financial performance, were part of a strategy to prepare the hospital for autonomous status. Through a judicious use of increased revenues through its cost-sharing program, enhanced by the introduction of cash registers, the hospital’s management has made measurable improvements in pediatrics, maternity, emergency, and other services. These quality improvements are measured in a series of surveys conducted prior to and after a series of technical assistance initiatives supported by the APHIA Financing and Sustainability (AFS) Project.
The AFS Advisor, a seasoned US hospital administrator, directed the technical assistance through a mentoring process. The work included a re-engineering of the management and selected clinical services; staff changes, including a new administrator; introduction of clinical pathways in pediatrics and other services; and information systems to monitor collections, spending, and patient registration. Hospital governance was also improved through board training, introduction of a hospital board manual, and a hospital operations manual.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, the participants in this session will be able to: a) Understand the reasons why the improvements took place as well as the obstacles to change b) Describe the implementation methods used in c) Appreciate the key success factors of the technical assistance as well as future steps to be taken to achieve autonomous status
Keywords: Hospitals, Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Management Sciences for Health
Coast Provincial General Hospital
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment