/ 2 February 2014

Government hospitals fail healthcare standards audit

Witrand Psychiatric Hospital in the North West was the only audited facility with acceptable standards
Witrand Psychiatric Hospital in the North West was the only audited facility with acceptable standards

Only one hospital out of 394 passed all acceptable standards in an audit conducted by the health department, the City Press newspaper reported on Sunday.

Witrand Psychiatric Hospital in Potchefstroom, North West, was the only one of the medical facilities audited which had adequate cleanliness, infection control and drug stock; as well as acceptable staff attitudes, patient safety standards and reasonable waiting times.

The Zebediela Hospital in Limpopo scored seven percent in terms of cleanliness, while the Standerton TB Hospital scored eight percent for the attitude of its staff.

The audit was conducted between May 2011 and May 2012 at 3880 hospitals and clinics across the country.

Inspectors found that 93 percent of hospital wards did not have the adequate and functional equipment needed to ensure the safety of mothers and children.

Only 32 percent of the hospitals and clinics audited had sufficient infection control procedures.

Only two of the medical facilities had measures in place which could guarantee patient safety.

Just under a third of staff were deemed to treat patients reasonably, with a quarter described as being caring. –Sapa