Gauteng health dept implements measures to address serious adverse events

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is taking steps to enhance patient safety and reduce serious adverse events across its health facilities.

According to spokesperson Motalatale Modiba, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering a safer healthcare environment for all patients.

Modiba said the GDoH continues to implement mandatory adherence to patient safety guidelines to ensure that all serious adverse cases are reported within 24 hours. The cases must then be promptly investigated and discussed during facility patient safety incident committee meetings or subjected to clinical review depending on severity.

He said the department has provided specialised training to all Quality Assurance officials and Clinical Managers to improve their skills in the prevention, reporting, and management of serious cases.

“This initiative is part of the department’s commitment to continuous professional development.”

Modiba said in line with the Ideal Hospital Framework, healthcare facilities have adopted a proactive approach by conducting routine self-assessments through walkabouts led by facility management to identify potential risks and areas for improvement.

He added that Clinical Governance Structures have been re-established, such as the mortality and morbidity committees for all disciplines to create a platform for learning and support, informing decisions that enhance clinical care across the board.

“To ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation, ongoing tracking of serious cases are facilitated through the national database system, alongside continuing evaluations of the quality improvement implementation plan.”

Modiba explained that in addition, the department has also launched awareness campaigns targeting hospital and District Health Services staff. The campaigns are to promote vigilance in identifying clinical risks and ensuring prompt reporting and decision-making.

“This is part of the educational initiative including workshops to capacitate both staff and nursing students.”

In 2023, GDoH facilities recorded a total of 7 117 serious adverse events with 2 273 incidents documented from January this year to date.

“These incidents are categorised into various types including clinical administration, healthcare-associated infections, medication or intravenous fluids and patient accidents to mention a few.”

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the stats represent a more stable environment as the department continues to work towards the reduction of patient safety incidents.

“As part of our commitment to quality improvement, we have taken disciplinary action against 29 officials from 10 health facilities. We are dedicated to implementing the recommendations from investigations to improve safety protocols across our facilities,” the MEC concluded.

The plans follow an incident where on September 23, a 36-year-old woman was tragically found dead in a bathroom at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa.

The patient had been admitted to the hospital on September 21 and was receiving care in the hospital’s ward 37.

The patient was found dead at approximately 13:00 in a bathroom. A nurse making her rounds noticed that a bathroom door was locked. After knocking several times without a response, she requested assistance from another nurse.

The two nurses forcefully opened the door and made the devastating discovery of the patient’s body hanging by a cellphone charger cable inside.

At the very same hospital, a female patient, who had been admitted for only four days to the psychiatric ward in June, lost her life when a fire broke out.

The 35-year-old female patient died after 17 other patients were safely relocated.

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