Improving the quality of care in the delivery of health services

Improving the quality of care in the delivery of health services
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WEBINAR SERIES ON THE ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS

Webinar 4: Improving the quality of care in the delivery of health services
September 17, 2021 - 10:00 AM (EDT)
Recording and presentations are available at VIRTUAL CAMPUS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Webpage.

The quality of care in the delivery of health services is defined as care centered on people, families and communities, with optimal levels of safety, effectiveness, opportunity, efficiency and equitable access as attributes. The achievement of these attributes is determined by the availability of services and their adequate organization and management. Improving the quality of care in the delivery of health services requires the transformation and strengthening of health systems. 

As part of the webinar series on the essential public health functions (EPHF), organized by PAHO/HSS and within the framework of the Strategy and Plan of Action to improve the quality of care in health service delivery 2020 -2025 of PAHO / WHO, Webinar 4 will address the challenges and opportunities to achieve a common goal: the quality of care in the delivery of health services, with a particular focus on "Safe maternal and newborn care", in connection with the celebration of world patient safety day that is observed every September 17th.

In addition, on this occasion and in connection with the celebration of World Patient Safety Day, which is observed every September 17, the topic selected for World Patient Safety Day 2021 is 'Safe maternal and neonatal care', due to the significant burden of risks and harm to which women and newborns are exposed when they receive unsafe care during childbirth. Despite the significant progress made in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3 are still far from being achieved. 

The problem has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the disruption of essential health services due to broken supply chains, barriers to accessing care and a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals. Since maternity care is also affected by issues of gender equity and violence, women's experiences during childbirth can be positive and empowering or in other cases inflict emotional damage and trauma.

The new perspective of the EPHF, the new quality paradigm and the renewed focus on patient safety underscore the need to integrate efforts to overcome the traditional fragmentation and lack of coordination of interventions. That is why in this opportunity we will discuss with experts and representatives of all the sectors involved, about the experiences in improving the quality and safety of maternal and neonatal care, but from the new framework and proposed stages to achieve integrated public health policies: assessment, policy development, resource allocation and access.
 

Contact:  hsa@paho.org