Enhancement of the management and improvement of the quality of healthcare services in Vietnam

Enhancement of the management and improvement of the quality of healthcare services in Vietnam (Internet image)

On August 24, 2024, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam issued Directive 06/CT-BYT on enhancement of the management and improvement of the quality of healthcare services in Vietnam at healthcare facilities.

Enhancement of the management and improvement of the quality of healthcare services in Vietnam

To address existing issues and continue to enhance the management and quality of medical examination and treatment services, ensure patient and family satisfaction, and improve healthcare services for the public, the Minister of Health directs the directors of hospitals under the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, hospital directors at universities, heads of health departments of ministries and sectors, and directors of provincial and city health departments to focus on the following directives based on their assigned functions and duties:

- Continue to strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct, enhance responsibility in public service execution, and adhere to professional regulations for healthcare staff. Increase training on communication, behavior, and professional skills; implement the motto “Patient-centered care” with a spirit of listening and open-mindedness in patient treatment and care.

- Conduct regular reviews and correct the activities of medical examination, treatment, and practitioners at healthcare facilities as per the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. Periodically check and supervise the compliance with hospital quality management procedures; adherence to internal hospital procedures and regulations; concurrently remind and address non-compliance by individuals and units.

- Recognize hospital quality management as the foundational work: Proactively review, plan, and organize the implementation of quality management of medical examination and treatment services as guided in Circular 19/2013/TT-BYT dated July 12, 2013, of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam on quality management of medical examination and treatment services at hospitals; adhere to the criteria in Decision 6858/QD-BYT dated November 18, 2016, of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam on issuing the set of hospital quality criteria of Vietnam; implement Decision 56/QD-BYT dated January 8, 2024, of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam on issuing guidelines for measuring public satisfaction with public health services from 2024-2030, and other guidelines and regulations of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam to improve and enhance quality, ensuring the provision of safe, quality, and efficient healthcare services for the satisfaction of patients, public, and healthcare staff.

- Strictly implement the disclosure of hospital hotline numbers, Ministry of Health of Vietnam hotline numbers, prices of medical examination and treatment services, and necessary information as per regulations; post them in easily visible and accessible places for patients and their families to promptly capture feedback, ensuring the legitimate rights of patients.

- Promote the application of information technology, digital transformation in the implementation of medical examination and treatment processes; adopt cashless payment methods. Also, review to minimize administrative procedures causing inconvenience to patients.

- Proactively capture, provide, and handle information to promptly resolve difficulties, problems, and issues arising in task execution. Enhance information and communication on achievements; individuals and collectives with outstanding and exemplary achievements in medical examination and treatment work. Increase communication on social networks; focus on internal communication to promote solidarity and creativity.

- Coordinate with law enforcement agencies in the area to deploy solutions ensuring safety for healthcare staff during duty performance; promptly and strictly handle violations or deliberate acts of spreading false information affecting public trust in healthcare work.

- Continue to proactively implement procurement and bidding as per regulations; ensure sufficient medicine and medical equipment for medical examination and public health care.

- Research, propose, and implement solutions to enhance the material and spiritual life of healthcare employees, especially regarding incentive policies and appropriate reward forms to promptly motivate healthcare staff.

More details can be found in Directive 06/CT-BYT dated August 24, 2024.

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