Patient satisfaction is a measure of hospital quality: Deputy PM

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam speaks at the forum (photo: VNA)

The government official noted that since the organisation of the second forum on hospital quality management in 2013, when the Ministry of Health announced the first set of criteria for evaluating hospital quality, the assessment of hospital quality has seen positive changes. The health sector has renewed their way of thinking in the examination and treatment of patients.

The forum, which was jointly held by the Health Ministry's Department of Medical Examination and Treatment and the EU Delegation to Vietnam, aimed to increase the attention of leaders and managers in enhancing the quality of medical examination and treatment, review five years of improving hospital quality, and share experience and initiatives on hospital quality management.

Axelle Nicaise, deputy head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, expressed her pleasure at witnessing strong commitments from the Health Ministry, Health Departments, and health establishments in improving the quality of healthcare services, as one of the core objectives of the reform of the health sector.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Head of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, said that "The quality of hospitals has improved dramatically over the past five years with the renewal in the way of thinking, doing and inspecting towards the target of patient-centered care. From the first national forum on hospital quality management in 2013 to the fourth forum in 2018, efforts in renewing and improving the quality of medical examination and treatment have been acknowledged. Improving hospital quality has become a movement and a driving force for hospitals to work towards patient satisfaction."

At the forum, more than 800 delegates focused their discussions on improving the quality of hospital, opportunities and challenges in the context of hospital autonomy and the renewal of financial mechanism, experience on the application of set of criteria to improving hospital quality.

At the event, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment was presented with the Labour Order (first class) in recognition of its achievements in the 2013-2017 period and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue was presented with the Labour Order (second class) for his contributions to the health sector./.

NDO