Page 49 - npqh NATIONAL POLICY FOR QUALITY IN HEALTHCARE : Bridging Silos, Accelerating Improvements 2022-2026

National Policy for Quality in Healthcare
Bridging Silos, Accelerating Improvements

1.3.5 Key Challenges and Way Forward for QIIs

Despite the long history of quality and the significant achievements of QIIs which are
already currently in place, the coordination and interaction of these multiple QIIs
remain a significant challenge. There is a strong need to bridge the silos among these
initiatives within and across health sectors and bring them together, to accelerate the
improvement of healthcare quality.

In the occurrence of a pandemic, such as COVID-19, these QIIs should be more proactive,
responsive and innovative in modifying existing organisational processes, to maintain
the quality of essential health services.

A few examples of such adaptations during the pandemic are:
» Value-Added Services (VAS) in ensuring patients get their routine medications
on time.
» The development of MyUbat which consists of a smartphone application for
patients and their caregivers to keep track of their medication usage and supplies
as well as web consoles for Pharmacy staff for a more efficient registration process
and follow-up medications at pharmacy counters.
» Developing new guidelines for the COVID-19 infection control and clinical
guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination
» Blood taking drive-through service for neonatal jaundice
» Development of online appointment systems in keeping with the new norms of
social distancing
» Use of telehealth systems in managing chronic disease, health maintenance and
wellness.

These adaptations are not just effective for making rapid adaptations in a crisis but,
if properly supported, these beneficial new processes can be sustained, which may
contribute to future resiliency in the event of another pandemic.

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