Quality in Healthcare

Abstract

The health care scenario in India is changing rapidly. There is a change in the disease profile, an ever increasing difference between rural and urban India and an increased interest in investments into health care from private players. Further there are issues in terms of manpower and skilled work force. Other issues of inadequacy in health delivery, including inadequate or poor infrastructure remain. Further and prominently quality of delivery has not been evaluated nor given the prominence it deserves.

Quality in health care is a very important concern as it deals with human lives. The assessment of quality requires many facets which need to be covered. This includes commitment, authentic information, a RCA, and closure to be effective.

There are many parameters to define quality in health care. While these imply appropriate clinical practice they would also address standard practices, patient safety, outcomes, patient satisfaction, HR practices, CME’s, training and upskilling, governance, accreditation, adherence to regulatory requirements amongst others.

Does quality healthcare mean increase in costs? This is often debated and clearly there is evidence to show that ultimately quality care implies control of costs.

Indian Health care is cost effective relatively speaking. However medical inflation is real and costs can spiral if there is arbitrary use of technology. However using technology appropriately enhances quality and curtails cost. The journey to establish quality in health care in India is just beginning. This long and arduous journey has many obstacles. Persistence and pushing for quality practice is a dire need.