March 2017

68 APAC / March 2017 , Arrhythmia consultation is indicated for patients with presenting symptoms like palpitations, fast and irregular heartbeats, syncope and exercise intolerance while the ICD and Pacemaker Interrogation is done to check the programming of the device and confirm that the battery and wires are functioning appropriately and for how long it will last on the body with an aid of a wand, a communicator device used by the doctor. Adding to this is another breakthrough in non-invasive diagnostic services at the Heart Station. Patients with unexplained fainting spells (syncope) can now avail of the Tilt Table Test. The Tilt Table Test is a medical procedure used to diagnose syncope. Patients with symptoms of dizziness or lightheadedness with or without loss of consciousness are good candidates for this. The patient is strapped to a tilt table lying flat then tilted completely to an angle of 80 degrees to provoke the symptoms. The Staff Nurse will be recording his heart rhythm (ECG), heart rate, blood pressure and symptoms every minute. The procedure takes about 45 minutes to an hour. JCI Accreditation In the pursuit of gaining the JCIA Gold Seal of Approval® in global healthcare excellence for the second year running, AHMC launches a hospital-wide Quality Improvement program to ensure that it maintains its accreditation, keep up to date with new standards, and uphold expectations of the best possible patient safety and quality of health care it provides. AHMC is the only hospital within the Southern Tagalog region in the Philippines with JCI Accreditation. MAGNET International Accreditation for Nursing AHMC, in its pursuit of providing the highest quality of medical care and overall treatment experience to the patients it serves, sends delegates to participate in the National MAGNET Conference in October 2015. We envision AHMC to be awarded the Magnet status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. A MAGNET designation is the ultimate credential for high quality nursing and is the leading source of successful nursing practices and strategies worldwide. The aim is to promote quality in a setting that supports professional practice, identify excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients/residents, and be able to disseminate best practices in nursing services. Full digital electronic medical records In its aim to transcend current healthcare standards in medical records management, AHMC has partnered with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), a US- based firm and a global leader in optimizing health engagements and patient care outcomes using information technology. AHMC became a member beginning March 2015. To signify its commitment, AHMC hosted the first HIMSS AsiaPac15 Digital Healthcare Week Philippines Pre- Conference Roadshow last May 27, 2015 with special participation of the DOH headed by USec. Ted Herbosa and other leaders of the Healthcare IT industry. AHMC also participated in the HIMMS Asia-Pacific Conference 2015 held in Singapore on September 4-9. It aims to study current trends and technologies in the areas of information systems in the healthcare industry. To date, AHMC is the only hospital in the Philippines listed as a member of HIMSS. AHMC will also be investing a lot in software and computer facilities towards paperless records, based on the Asia Pacific Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM). The IT Department will do staff baselining and strategic planning by training its staff to support this digital revolution. Staff Culture Asian Hospital put focus on staff development and promotion through empowerment programs, such as: Leadership Learning Series with the CEO, COOLER Talks, Employees’ Recognition Day, physical and spiritual wellness activities, and the likes. The Leadership Learning Series with the CEO, which was adapted from the concept of Brown Bag Learning, is a ‘lunch-and learn’ opportunity wherein different management topics may be discussed. On the other hand, COOLER Talks is a teaching and learning lecture series for all clinical and non- clinical staff interested to improve their leadership skills. COOLER stands for COst effectiveness and Outcomes LEaRning. AHMC delights in developing homegrown talents, thereby fostering loyalty and dedication of service to our most cherished mission of providing quality healthcare. The Future Being able to address the changing needs of the customers is an important factor in every business organization’s growth and sustainability. In the Philippines, the number of Filipinos who are burdened by non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and stroke are growing exponentially. In response to this, AHMC identified four service areas that need immediate strengthening: Heart and Vascular, Brain Wellness, Asian Cancer Institute, and Lifestyle Medicine. AHMC plans to reinforce the current offerings of the Heart and Vascular and Lifestyle Medicine departments; increase and enhance the programs of the Brain Wellness Center; and promote the services of Asian Cancer Institute by building on its pool of experts and investing on state-of-the-art machines and equipment. Furthermore, AHMC plans to streamline the way it delivers real value-based healthcare through the formation of 3 more institutes after the official launch of the Asian Cancer Institute. These are: Cardio Vascular Institute, Neurosciences Institute, and Lifestyle Wellness Institute. Combined with strategies to expand patient base, AHMC is set to see sustainable growth in the next several years. Patient-centered care In pursuing the commitment to provide a positive difference to healthcare outcomes, AHMC integrates patient centered practices that can result to patient and client satisfaction. a. Getting to know the patient or client as a person. Asian Hospital’s healthcare professionals build relationship not only with the other clinical professionals, but most significantly with the patients. The aim is to know the patient beyond their diagnosis. b. Sharing the power of responsibility. Asian Hospital values each patient, thus respecting their preferences. c. Accessibility and flexibility. Through being sensitive to the values, preferences, and expressed needs of the patients, Asian Hospital answers the patients’ and clients’ individual need. Providing them the accurate and complete information in a manner that they can understand also contributes to their choices about their care. d. Coordination and integration. Providing an effective and quality healthcare is impossible without the solidarity and joint effort of the healthcare professionals and the service providers who work nonstop to maximize patient outcomes. Teamwork is most valued and implemented in Asian Hospital to give the patients a positive healthcare experience. e. Environment. Asian Hospital enables the staff to be patient centered through being a venue that has a healthy physical, cultural, and organizational environment. Responding to the aging population and how to meet their healthcare needs. The aging population increases the level of care required by patients and has been both a challenge and opportunity to the health care institutions. Asian Hospital recognizes the increasing demand for reliable, accessible, and quality healthcare for both the young and the elderly through equipping itself with the ability to manage chronic illness driven by more frequent engagements of the elderly.