Taking a systematic approach to hospital policy development Celebrating our patients through charity

Taking a systematic approach to hospital policy development

By Neema Kemunto

Policy and procedure are two terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, and while they do go hand in hand, they are not the same.

A Policy is a general principle that governs behavior in an organization or a government, to achieve rational outcomes. It describes principles, requirements, and limitations and is characterized by indicating “what” needs to be done rather than how to do it.

Procedures on the other hand describe the steps necessary to implement policies and achieve organizational goals. They are written documents providing specific “howto” information and will normally be developed by the office responsible for the administration of a policy.

Policy formulation is the development of effective and acceptable courses of action for addressing what has been placed on the policy agenda. Kenyatta National Hospital has over the years developed 30 policies as listed below;

1. KNH Prescribing Policy

2. KNH E-Waste Management Policy

3. KNH Energy Management Policy

4. Information and Communication Technology Policy

5. KNH Workplace Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Policy

6. KNH Workplace Policy on HIV & AIDS

7. KNH Anti-Corruption Policy

8. KNH Whistle Blowing Policy.

9. Per Diem Policy

10. Housing and Property Development and Management Policy

11. Policy on Management of Tuberculosis Infected Health Care Workers.

12. KNH Fixed Assets Management Policy 13. KNH Credit Policy and Procedure Manual

14. Security and Safety Policy

15. Gender Mainstreaming Policy for KNH, June 2012

16. KNH Anti-Microbial Policy

17. Memorandum of Understanding Policy

18. Patient Credit Policy

19. KNH Prescribing Policy

20. Public-Private Partnership Policy

21. KNH Energy Management Policy

22. Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

23. KNH Disaster Management Policy 2012

24. Knowledge Management and Innovation Policy 2015

25. February 2014 KNH Buy Kenya Build Kenya Policy

26. Disability Mainstreaming Policy for KNH, June 2010

27. Environmental Policy 2014

28. HR Policy

29. Infection Prevention and Control

30. KNH Research Policy

While this has been the practice, the hospital has deficient policies and procedures which have failed to meet the intended objectives. According to the Director of Planning & Strategy Mr. Job Makanga, this has been instigated by inconsistency in the style and format of the policies, poorly written policies, inaccessibility of the Policies by all staff, and out-ofdate policies.

To avoid these and other hitches, the director adds that it is time the Hospital takes a systematic look at its policies and policy-management processes. “Effective policy management begins with a policy and procedure document that outlines the policy-development, Monitoring & Evaluation process. The Hospital is in the process of formulating a welloutlined Policy guideline that will provide general direction on policy formulation and implementation” Stated Mr. Makanga.

In its quest to streamline the policy development and implementation process, the Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation department has developed a Hospital-wide Policy Formulation, implementation, and Evaluation Guideline that will provide a clear roadmap on the formulation, implementation, monitoring & Evaluation of Hospital-wide policies.

“All Hospital policies will now be centrally developed, monitored and evaluated from the department using the developed Hospital-wide Policy Development, Implementation and Evaluation Guidelines” affirmed Mr. Samuel Wainaina, the Chief Manager, Planning Monitoring & Evaluation.

The policy guideline will apply to policies that endure across

time and administrations; change infrequently and set the course for the foreseeable future; manifest and operationalize the Hospital’s mission, vision, core values, and Strategic objectives; apply broadly across the hospital; address compliance with applicable laws and regulations; promote operational efficiency; and/ or manage institutional risk.

Using a standard format for all Hospital policies will make it easier for staff to read and retain information, as well as scan the documents later for specific guidelines and rules. To ensure the policies are easily accessible by all staff, the Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation department has developed a database of the policies that exist in the Hospital. Mr. Felix Kilumbi, the Manager Monitoring & Evaluation told the Newsline that the department is looking to partner with the Marketing & Communication and ICT Departments to have the Database incorporated in the Hospital Website.

“Regular Monitoring & evaluating of the policies is an exercise that the department has commenced in this 2021/2022 FY.” Ms. Kemunto, the Principal, Planning Monitoring & Evaluation officer told the Newsline. She added that the department will ensure that policies are reviewed regularly and updated as necessary, with archiving of the expired policies being done per the legal requirements and Hospital recordsretention policies. The department is looking at reviewing the policies that are due for review even as they guide the Hospital in formulating policies that will be instrumental in the smooth running of the Hospital operations.

Celebrating our patients through charity

KNH marks Patient Week to observe World Day of the Sick

By: Yvonne Gichuru & Winfred Gumbo

KNH staff and patients take part in a mass led by John Cardinal Njue to mark the Day of the Sick at Shrine of Mary Help of the Sick Don Bosco Church Upperhill

PHOTO | WINFRED GUMBO

Kenyatta National Hospital celebrates patients every year by observing the World Day of the Sick. This year, we celebrated the patients for an entire week as a way to give back to them.

Various services were offered throughout the week such as free screening services, for blood sugar, blood pressure, blood donation drive, and adopting NHIF registration for needy patients as well as promoting the adopt-a-bed campaign.

KNH nurses came out and voluntarily participated in the noble cause by donating their off days to help out in the activities. The event dubbed ‘Patient Week’, was launched on Monday, February 21, 2022 with pomp and color whereby invited guests included Fr. Adoko Mahoussi who represented Arch Bishop Nairobi Diocese – His Lordship Phillip Arnold Subira Anyolo as the Chief Guest for the day.

“Part of the activities will be encouraging blood donation drive by our staff, free COVID-19 vaccination, free blood sugar & blood pressure checkups along with championing the AdoptA-Bed campaign,” said Mrs. Rose Wafubwa, Deputy Chief Nurse (DCN) – Administration as she gave the opening remarks during the launch.

“Celebrating the community not only those within our facility but also our environment. Staff remembering patients through charity is going beyond what we are paid to do, it’s renewing our call to serve.” Dr. Irene Inwani, Senior. Director - Clinical Services.

Mrs. Wafubwa who is also the Chairperson of the Day of the Sick Committee urged staff to participate in whatever way they can in order to help our patients as this would go a long way in giving back to the society.

Dr. Judith Awinja, Director Nursing Services, MOH & Ms. Edna Tallam, CEO Nursing Council were also in attendance and both promised to support our patients through joining our adopta-bed campaign. Both have experienced firsthand the impact good patient care can have on a patient’s outcome.

“Celebrating the community not only those within our facility but also our environment. Staff remembering patients through charity is going beyond what we are paid to do, it’s renewing our call to serve.” said Dr. Irene Inwani, Senior. Director - Clinical Services.

The Don Bosco Boys; a group of boys rescued from the street and are now in school, entertained the guests with an outstanding performance as well as the launch came to an end.

A clear demonstration of the impact reaching out can have on the community. Some of the KNH staff and selected patients also attended mass at Shrine of Mary Help of the Sick Don Bosco Catholic Church to mark the celebration of the Day of the Sick on Thursday, February 24, 2022. “May God be with all the Healthcare workers at KNH and all over the world that tirelessly take care of the sick by ensuring they are comfortable during their hospital stay,” said Cardinal John Njue as he presided over the mass.

Mrs. Rose Wafubwa who represented the CEO, Dr. Evanson Kamuri, EBS thanked the staff for their dedication and ensuring the event took place.

“It is my pleasure that today we are here to celebrate and pray together with our patients as they look forward to their recovery. Additionally, I would like to thank the KNH management for releasing a few stable patients to come to the church as spirituality is important during treatment and recovery,” she said.

Mrs. Rose Wafumbwa - DCN Administration (standing infront of John Cardinal Njue, Front row R) during the offertory session to mark World Day of the Sick

PHOTO | YVONNE GICHURU

KNH Catholic St. Camillus choir perform a hymn during the mass to mark Day of the Sick

PHOTO | WINFRED GUMBO

Rose Wafumbwa - DCN administration and Mr. Richard Koisok - DCN Nursing standards (R) handing over an assortment of gifts donated by KNH staff to mark World Day of the Sick

PHOTO | NICHOLAS