Starting Monday, February 24, 2025, all hospitals that are members of the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association will adopt new operational guidelines aimed at improving patient care, streamlining administrative processes, and enhancing transparency.
Key Changes Under the New Policy:
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Standardized Service Charges:
All member hospitals will implement standardized pricing for essential medical services and consultations to ensure affordability and consistency across urban and rural areas. -
Enhanced Patient Feedback Mechanisms:
Hospitals will introduce comprehensive patient feedback systems, including digital surveys and suggestion boxes, to ensure continuous improvement in healthcare services. -
Digital Health Records:
A new mandate will require all hospitals to maintain electronic health records (EHR) to improve patient care coordination and reduce errors. This measure aims to streamline the patient experience and ensure efficient communication among healthcare providers. -
24/7 Emergency Services:
All member hospitals must offer round-the-clock emergency care to ensure patients receive timely and critical medical attention, regardless of location or time. -
Regular Staff Training:
To enhance service quality, hospitals will be required to conduct quarterly staff training on updated healthcare protocols, patient safety measures, and emergency response. -
Compliance Monitoring:
An independent body will oversee hospital compliance with the new regulations. Hospitals that fail to meet the standards may face penalties or suspension of their membership.
Objectives of the Policy:
The overarching goal of these changes is to reduce the disparity in healthcare services between urban and rural areas, enhance patient satisfaction, and promote equitable access to high-quality care across all member hospitals.
Patient Awareness Campaign:
A public awareness campaign will be launched to inform patients about the new policies and their rights under this framework. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback about their healthcare experiences.
The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association expressed confidence that these changes will usher in a new era of improved, patient-centric healthcare services across all member institutions.