Groote Schuur Hospital

GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL

STRENGTHENING THE SYSTEM

Bhavna Patel, CEO of the famed Groote Schuur Hospital, advocates strengthening the healthcare system and developing a renewed strategy to meet the needs of patients

Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold

In December 1967, local South African cardiac surgeon Christiaan Barnard became an international superstar virtually overnight when he performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant.

It was a daring and ground-breaking operation in which Barnard transplanted the heart of a fatally injured 25-year-old, Denise Darvall, into Lewis Washkansky, 53, who was suffering from heart complications brought about primarily by his diabetes.

A landmark achievement that received immense public attention worldwide and remains the most publicised event in medical history, it was carried out by Barnard in the Charles Saint Theatre at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH).

“GSH boasts a proud 85-year history of service

excellence, gaining global fame following the first successful human heart transplant by Christiaan Barnard,” begins Bhavna Patel, CEO of GSH since 2013.

Today, tens of thousands of grateful individuals have received this life-saving surgery; moreover, the majority of heart transplant patients have gone on to enjoy life for many years after the operation, including its subsequent medical treatment.

“The hospital continues to maintain such innovation, with many firsts both within South Africa (SA) and internationally.”

GSH is a tertiary and quaternary health service facility opened on 31st January 1938, whose mission is to provide outstanding public healthcare to the population of SA’s Western Cape province and beyond.

Synergising Technology and Health

SUMMARISING SUCCESS

Makana Healthcare, commonly known as Makana, was founded in 1996 by CEO, Arthur Davids. First established as a technology company, Makana focuses on government inventory systems, payment systems and management data analysis, with the healthcare division later being added to the group. The infusion of technology and healthcare was a natural and appropriate synergy as it presented a platform to introduce the company’s experience, innovation, ideas, as well as leadership expertise and knowledge of client requirements.

Makana is a proudly Level-1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) company. It is also committed to the supply and sale of high-quality medical equipment, consumables and strategic medical consulting services. Associated with Makana Technologies and Solutions, the

company subscribes to strong principles of quality, excellence and internationally recognised practices. To this end, it is, and has always been, Makana’s widely-held and succinct axiom that ‘going the extra mile’ and understanding client needs is the blueprint for success.

Makana is excited and optimistic about the future as new and groundbreaking technology is rapidly making great strides in the healthcare sector, contributing to more effective and efficient models in healthcare.

INFORMATION

The importance of a hospital’s information analysis cannot be overlooked. It lies at the very core of any hospital’s efficient operation, and it speaks to spend analysis, procurement, patient information, and more. Therefore, in the future, information will become an asset on the company balance sheet, as it provides you with answers to questions you didn’t know you

had and contributes significantly to management decisions!

QUALITY

Current world events have amplified the disparity and critical importance of healthcare, professional medical advice, quality products and services. Almost everybody has formed their own definition of quality. Because quality means different things to different people, the topic has become confusing – even in business - and these multiple definitions often make quality difficult to achieve. However, quality, simply stated, is conforming to requirements.

INNOVATION

Davids details that, “I am always thrilled to see the passion for innovation being embraced. It’s the hallmark of great leadership and allows people to contribute to new ideas.

“Whilst innovation deserves lauding, its true meaning lies not only in

the implementation thereof, but in assigning a cost-saving strategy to the implementation. An example includes a recent application which saw a client not only investing in a new product, but also saving an excess of ZAR720,000 per annum (taking into account repairs, price of non-conformance, quality, etc). Consequently, innovations in measurement and cost-saving strategy is the vehicle used to evaluate and plan management action.”

INITIATIVE

Whilst taking the initiative can sometimes lead to unwanted and misaligned outcomes, demonstrating initiative with sufficient knowledge of client needs is of critical importance, because it demonstrates a certain proactiveness. Understanding that there’s much to learn about the process, can at times be more important than the outcome itself. Thus, at Makana, there have been many situations where the team has

demonstrated initiative, and saved their clients valuable time and money.

EXCELLENCE

Makana attaches great value to focus, as focus is believed to be at the core of excellence. The company has an ethos that when your product offering embraces excellence, then you’ve learnt how to focus. Makana subsequently focuses on the needs of its clients, as it shares their vision. With quality, innovation and excellence being central qualities and intrinsic to the DNA of Makana, it strives to always ensure the best. The company is committed to making a positive contribution to the healthcare discipline, economics and ecosystem – understanding the challenges faced.

Such dedications provide the company with an environment to uphold high standards and to pursue an attitude of a continuous journey to discovery. Perfection, although

impossible, at best serves as an incubator of excellence and illustrates Makana’s determination to always deliver its sincerest intentions. “Where excellence abounds, then effective leadership gives it the fortitude to do so,” says Davids. Humanity is the company’s currency, as it is perceived as the universal canvas of life to paint and co-author a chapter and lasting image to serve and lead. Makana’s mission is to convey its sincerest wishes to its suppliers, manufacturers, partners and clients.

It is comments and feedback like this that underscore Makana’s values.

From: Hanover Park Community Hospital:

Subject: note of appreciation

“Good day Arthur, I would like to commend you and your company, Makana Healthcare on assisting us at Hanover Park Community Health Centre (CHC) in our time of need. I appreciate the fact that you had gone the extra mile to access what we had needed on a weekend when everyone is closed. Even though your company was closed, you sourced what we needed and brought it to us personally, on a Sunday morning. It is good to know that there are people like yourself who would go the extra mile for our community and primary healthcare settings. Thanking you once again”

LEADERSHIP

The healthcare division is led by CEO, Arthur Davids, with Dr Junaid Akoojee as the Medical Director. Makana enjoys award-winning and international accreditation in

Makana enjoys award-winning and international accreditation in leadership, quality and business excellence. The company was awarded the Gold and Platinum award in New York and Paris respectively. The International Quality

Summit Award is recognised as one of the most prestigious honours in business excellence. The company’s leadership also featured in South Africa’s top 47 leaders in previous years, showcasing the country’s leadership expertise – supported by the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Graduate School of Business, The Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, Businesswoman’s Association of S.A. (BWSA) and The Institute of Directors (IoD).

Davids further states: “We need to ensure, protect and grow the leadership DNA in our country. It’s important for us to continuously evolve the critical reservoir of leaders in order for us to pass on the baton. If we can sustain that growth of new leaders, then I believe we have fulfilled an important discipline of leadership. Every leader must have a vision, be able to articulate that vision

and then lead others to meet it.

“Reach out to us. We will be glad to discuss your needs and who knows, you might even get inspired!”

Davids describes himself more of a hybrid between a visionary and situational leader. He adds, “It’s vital

to keep your vision in focus, bearing in mind that every situation, institution and client is different. I’m not a ‘celebrity’ leader concerned with ‘front page’ headlines or glitz and glamour. I prefer to lead from the front, getting my hands ‘dirty’ – old-fashioned hard work! My favourite position is in the trenches with my team. I’ve unashamedly loaded trailers, boxes and trucks. You cannot lead anybody further than you’ve gone yourself. More importantly, clients appreciate the fact that you are personally involved and lead from the front. One day I’m negotiating, the next day I’m in the trenches and next I take up my position in the boardroom. At

the end I know I can autograph work with excellence. Sadly, you have leaders that only wait for fame. I don’t promise, waffle or talk, I do!”

Dr. Akoojee, the Chief Medical Officer, is a leading Medical and Healthcare Professional with experience in primary healthcare, emergency procedures and protocols, managing healthcare centres, community health programmes, as well as promoting and improving health outcomes with the use of technology. Previously, Dr Akoojee has also worked with many community-based diabetic awareness programmes with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Makana’s views and role in the healthcare ecosystem:

Makana carefully evaluates its service experience and how to sell to its clients effectively – keeping the patient central. Preferring to see its offering as quality and affordable, rather than based on transactional value and the credit limit of its clients, Makana understands it is about achieving the best outcomes at the lowest costs. A starting point for this would be a shift from over-aggressive volume and profitability of services provided. ‘Profit greed’ ultimately has an adverse effect on your professional reputation – often to the detriment of the patient and healthcare budgetary constraints.

Hence why Makana believes that if it can contribute to improved patient outcomes and add valuedriven products, then it can sustain and grow market share. Similarly, if it can also improve the efficiency of providing excellent service and products, it can enter any contracting discussion from a position of strength. The providers adding the most value will be the most competitive.

makanahealthcare.co.za

DEDICATION

Kahlil Gibran in his poem titled “The river cannot go back”, describes the arduous flow of a river. Against the backdrop of this striking poem, the ‘Groote Schuur river’ started its path 85 years ago. Like the river, the hospital cannot flow back but only forge ahead, despite various fears and anxieties - even during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital maintained its course – thanks to the resilient leadership of Dr Patel, her executive team, medical managers and staff. Walking the aisles of the hospital and meeting the various leaders makes you realise that the institution is an incubator of excellence and as a leading public hospital on the continent, it is a leading epicentre of innovation with many worldwide-and-continent first procedures. “I want to pass on warm and sincere congratulations to Dr Patel and her team for their remarkable achievements.”

Arthur Davids (CEO)

It also promotes excellence in teaching and research, as the primary teaching platform for both undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Cape Town (UCT), ranked according to several internationally compiled and authoritative indexes as the best university on the African continent and amongst the best 200 universities across the world.

Located in the Observatory, just a few minutes away from the main UCT campus, GSH has a symbiotic relationship with the university, where Barnard himself qualified in medicine in 1946 before establishing a successful open-heart surgery programme at the hospital, and lays claim to international renown beyond the historic feat he achieved in 1967.

This is to say that GSH is an internationally celebrated research institution, highly regarded for its trauma unit, anaesthesiology and internal medicine departments. It also draws many visiting medical students, residents and specialists every year, who come to the hospital to gain further experience in the various fields of endeavour in which it engages.

GREAT BARN

GSH and UCT are two highly prominent buildings in Cape Town, which is not only home to the friendly, fun-loving and laid-back people that inhabit it, but also some of the

CHRISTIAAN BARNARD (1922-2001)

Barnard was born to a Dutch Reformed Church minister, and grew up in the Cape province of the Union of South Africa, as SA was then known.

At a young age Barnard lost one of his four brothers to heart disease, which could well have contributed to his choice to study medicine at UCT.

The famous surgeon obtained an MBChB in 1945 and completed his internship and residency at GSH. After his studies, he worked as a GP in the small, rural town of Ceres before returning to Cape Town in 1951. Barnard completed both a master’s degree and a doctorate in medicine, and by 1956 had proved himself enough to earn a two-year scholarship to study cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota.

Upon his return to SA, the burgeoning superstar was appointed the cardiothoracic surgeon at GSH, as well as becoming a full-time lecturer and the Director of Surgical Research at UCT. Barnard proved that South African skill and talent is among the best in the world, and that the country has the resources to be a world leader in the field of medicine.

world’s most beautiful scenery.

The hospital itself proudly sits on the picturesque slopes of Devil’s Peak at the foot of Table Mountain, an eminent landmark overlooking SA’s most famous city.

Groote Schuur, Dutch for “great barn”, is named after the settler farm on which the hospital and its neo-classically styled buildings now stand, against the backdrop of Cape Town’s iconic mountain range.

Clinical, teaching and research activities are provided on the estate of the hospital by GSH, who attends to around half a million outpatients every year.

There are also just over 1,000 inpatient beds to cope with around 75,000 admissions annually, with 25 theatres performing 23,000 operations on a yearly basis.

“We also have a Level 1 trauma centre attending to 1,200 major trauma cases per month, as well as a medical emergency centre treating 4,300 patients monthly,” adds Patel.

GSH’s patients are mainly from the Western Cape province of SA, but due to its specialised services, patients from other provinces are also referred to the hospital.

Many of these patients live in poor socio-economic conditions that fail to support the promotion of health, and are unable to afford healthcare, instead relying on the availability of public services.

Lithendo Projects – Engineered to Serve

Could you tell us a bit about Lithendo Projects (Lithendo), your team, services, history and evolution?

Lithendo is an electrical construction company established in 2011. Originally formed as Lithendo Consulting Pty Ltd, it evolved into Lithendo Projects in response to market demand. While the company started with only one employee in 2015 when fulltime operations began, it is now a substantial contributor towards the reduction of unemployment within the Western Cape and South Africa. Today, Lithendo employs 22 highly skilled and experienced employees with a passion for delivering unmatched service.

We support our customers by providing them with experienced technical skills to manage risks associated with various electrical equipment within

their infrastructure portfolio. Lithendo specialises mainly in medium-voltage systems, installation, and maintenance. We have experience and expertise in transformer maintenance and switchgear alongside medium-voltage cable installations and maintenance. Lithendo possesses skills in lowvoltage systems, such as installation, maintenance, and certification. We are experts in standby power systems which include expertise in Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS), and Standby Generators. We also have expertise in hazardous installations maintenance and certification.

When did Lithendo’s journey with Groote Schuur Hospital begin and how has it developed?

Our journey with Groote Schuur Hospital began in June 2019 when we responded

to a medium-voltage cable failure. The team at Lithendo executed the work with diligence, and when we were ready to put the power through the cable, we went beyond our scope of service and inspected the switchgear that was to be used for switching and tested the transformer that was downstream of the damaged cable. We found faults with both pieces of equipment. The switchgear had last been serviced in 2006, hence, we advised the client that it was unsafe to operate the switch at that present time.

Similarly, because the transformer had been off for a long time due to the same cable fault when tested, it showed high levels of moisture content, which meant it was in an unsafe condition and needed immediate attention. After advising the customer of these findings and the implications of not addressing them, the

piece of advice, and going the extra mile appealed to the customer. Relations have therefore grown since, and Lithendo has continued to provide reliable service to Groote Schuur Hospital.

Could you explain how the company works with and benefits Groote Schuur Hospital and vice versa?

Lithendo offers the customer a dependable and reliable service backed by sound technical knowledge and experience in healthcare facilities and electrical infrastructure. In return, this is translated to consistent service to the public, exactly what is needed by the communities the hospital supports. One of our main value-adds is the ability to be dependable in every respect, coupled with an unmatched operational discipline which appeals to every individual we support at the hospital.

What are the company’s key priorities for the coming year - do you have any projects or plans in the pipeline?

One important priority close to our hearts is the need to strengthen our operational

systems and align those to international standards in healthcare, engineering and safety management. Groote Schuur Hospital is a complex facility, and Lithendo meets new challenges daily in the form of equipment, technology or operational requirements. Responding effectively to these requires standardisation of internal processes and matching with peer-reviewed international standards in healthcare. Going forward, this objective remains at the forefront of our operations.

This is one of a number of external challenges in the South African health industry, starting with the inequity between private and public health services and facilities, which respectively serve 20 and 80 percent of the population but use 80 and 20 percent of the resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic and other environmental challenges have also left many South Africans without jobs and financial support, exacerbated by the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Internally, GSH is challenged by the increasing patient demands that the hospital is experiencing for its services, which have to be provided within reduced budgets by a small number of overworked staff.

“The space at present is challenging internally, externally and societally, and requires a rethink for its future sustainability,” asserts Patel.

RETHINK AND RESTRUCTURE

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected GSH with patient care curtailed to admit patients that tested positive for the virus, resulting in around 10,000 missed elective surgeries as well as many lost outpatient appointments and radiological investigations, among others.

This gave rise to an unparalleled healthcare system crisis not only in SA but throughout the world.

“Unfortunately, it is impossible to just pick up where we left off in March 2020,” Patel tells us.

“This period is challenging in that we are facing many patient pressures, and trying to plan in such a context becomes difficult.”

The many backlogs caused by the pandemic required a critical rethink and restructure of GSH’s health services, with an internal reorganisation of resources and a firmer relationship with its referral centres.

To be sustainable in the long term, a renewed strategy was therefore adopted by GSH to plan for resurging, recovering, and resetting its services.

“We’ve got to be adaptable to things like COVID-19. The pandemic brought about an immediate need for change, and we have to be prepared and adaptive to such changes in the future, while at the same time trying to recover and stabilise our current services,” says Patel.

Planning for resurgence involved developing an implementation plan that was flexible to the change in the number of COVID-positive patients.

Recovery addressed some of the lost needs and reviewed how these could be prioritised, whilst resetting will require a rethink of the services and how to move forwards, as this is not just a hospital response but a health system response.

To this end, GSH has commissioned an additional two theatres along with 20 beds to create a Day Surgery facility and ease the backlog of cases.

“We raised funds to address some of the surgical cases, in addition to our normal theatre cases. Thus far, we have achieved our target of 1,500 cases over the past 10 months and will continue with the project over the next two years,” informs Patel.

“Over the next two to three years, we hope to operate on 3,000 more patients. After the project period, the facility will continue to function as a Day Surgery unit.”

WE SAVE LIVES

WORLD - CLASS PRODUCTS THAT MEET REAL NEEDS

One of the first fully compliant BEE Level 4 healthcare companies in South Africa, Akacia Medical and Healthcare group is part of a handful of true frontrunners when it comes to meaningful transformation.

Recognised as innovators, as a group we collectively work to diagnose, treat and monitor patients through our groundbreaking products, represented by our subsidiaries Akacia Medical, Clinisut, and MSQ Diagnostics.

We know that life without health is not easy. That’s why we’re invested in constantly improving the quality of our integrated solutions, to ensure we are meeting real healthcare needs with relevant products. Working together to transform people’s lives inspires us because at Akacia, we believe life matters.

As a group that’s recognised for innovation and excellence, it’s not surprising that the healthcare industry puts its trust in our products every day. With over 100 products in our stable, we are influencing and improving patient care and outcomes with our medical devices, surgical products, and diagnostic solutions. We are best known for our integrated solutions in general surgery, gynaecology, urology, respiratory, medical and surgical.

GENERAL MEDICAL

We develop and supply our customers with the latest in innovative medical technologies that protect patient safety and promote recovery. Our broad range of general medical products is segmented into our niche focus areas, including general medical, custom packs and trays, speciality products and equipment. From surgical gloves, suction devices, tubing, wound drains, to ICU breathing circuits, respiratory equipment, catheters, syringes, disposable textile, needles, and more – we have over 60 quality products available.

SURGICAL

Our high quality absorbable and non-absorbable sutures are used in hospitals around the world and are manufactured using laserdrilled needles. This provides the best needle/suture combinations for easier passage through tissue, reducing tissue damage and ensuring a less traumatic patient experience. We manufacture 13 different material types, offering a wide selection of needle choices.

Our surgical division is well known for its globally renowned surgical sutures. We also specialise in procedure packs and trays, and surgical devices. Our device range covers a number of medical specialities, including respiratory, urology, gastroenterology, wound drainage, critical care, anaesthetics, gynaecology, general surgery and PPE.

DIAGNOSTICS

Our diagnostic products help provide accurate medical information so that doctors can make faster, more informed treatment decisions, that are in the best interests of the patients we serve. Our niche diagnostic portfolio includes pioneering technology divided into the areas of POCT, quality, lab line and general. From diabetes, to cardiac, hematology, blood grouping, immunoassay, ESR, proficiency materials, software and more – with our quality products we have the power to shift the healthcare paradigm from reactive to proactive.

akaciamedical.co.za

– BHAVNA PATEL,

LEARNING LESSONS

To relieve the amount of pressure being applied to the entire healthcare system, Patel acknowledges that GSH also needs to learn from the lessons of the pandemic and function as multidisciplinary teams across the various levels of care.

“Some hard decisions will have to be made. Primary care needs to be strengthened, current silos need to be broken down, and our teams need to work together to strengthen the health system,” she emphasises.

“The focus ahead has to be on strengthening the health system, and looking at it more holistically from a patient journey perspective, from the time the patient enters the system at a primary care level through to tertiary or

quaternary care.” Indeed, patients are only admitted to the facility if they have been directed to do so by a primary or secondary healthcare worker or facility.

This holistic view of the patient journey reflects GSH’s reputation since inception as “the hospital of the people”, with suppliers that are committed to ensuring its stock levels are never low and are responsive to patient needs, and staff that have embraced a sense of pride about being employed at the hospital.

Together with very active research opportunities and management support, GSH provides an environment where employees feel safe to explore and engage in seeking innovation and change, leading to excellence and a willingness to do better.

“GSH BOASTS A PROUD 85-YEAR HISTORY OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE, GAINING GLOBAL FAME FOLLOWING THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL HUMAN HEART TRANSPLANT BY CHRISTIAAN BARNARD”

CEO, GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL

Enhancing healthcare by continuously improving quality with on time deliveries and exceeding customer expectations

- Beyond Excellence

Medtex SA (Pty) Ltd is a South African-based BBBEE Level 1 disposable glove manufacturing company established in 1994. Over the years, the company has put a major emphasis on product quality control, continuous research and development, and a competitive pricing strategy. A wide product range is offered from non-sterile latex and latex free examination gloves to sterile latex and latex-free surgical gloves. Flexible services are offered from ready to use in-house brands to OEM manufacturing according to customer satisfaction. Products are manufactured according to stringent ISO13485, SANS, and CE standards.

Medtex SA (Pty) Ltd

88/89 Lanham Street, Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, South Africa (RSA), 1020 info@medtexsa.com

+27 (13) 9324618

www.medtexsa.com

“We have a permanent staff complement of 3,750, but also appoint contract staff for certain services such as security, cleaning and laundry. In addition, due to significant nursing shortages, locum staff are also appointed. Without our people, the hospital would not survive,” Patel affirms.

Staffed by highly experienced individuals, who can also be seen mentoring UCT medical school students that are completing the final period of their training, the standard of care is therefore extremely high at the hospital.

SUPPORT FOR STAFF

The pandemic placed significant pressures on GSH’s

employees, however, who had to attend to ill patients while at the same time dealing with their own illnesses, concerns about loved ones, and loss of life due to COVID-19.

Despite this, they remained a true credit to their profession and continued to treat patients, with GSH understanding these pressures.

As such, in recognition of the need for self-care and support, the hospital appointed a psychologist and an occupational therapist, who together with other counsellors and the psychiatric team spoke to staff members daily, both on an individual and a collective basis.

“This proved to be so beneficial that we opened a wellness centre for our staff that includes the psychological

“THE SPACE AT PRESENT IS CHALLENGING INTERNALLY, EXTERNALLY AND SOCIETALLY, AND REQUIRES A RETHINK FOR ITS FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY”

– BHAVNA PATEL, CEO, GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL

Stefanutti Stocks is a listed, multidisciplinary construction group (a B-BBEE Level 1 contributor) with the capability to deliver a range of projects of any scale to a multitude of clients in diverse markets. As an ambitious and well-respected construction group we boast technical proficiency across all our disciplines.

Our strength as a contractor lies in our diversity, as we offer conventional and niche skills within the disciplines of Building, Civils, Renewable (focusing on balance of plant construction), Geotechnical, Roads & Earthworks (including bulk pipelines), Oil & Gas, Electrical & Instrumentation, Mechanical, and Mining Services (including Tailings Management and Materials Handling).

Stefanutti Stocks Western Cape +27 21 834 6700 | wc@stefstocks.com | www.stefanuttistocks.com

Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge Project

Infrastructure for iThemba Labs 70MeV Cyclotron unit

Design & Build: High Voltage self-build step down project

support aspects (both individual and teams), a small gym, yoga, self-defence and many other activities for their health,” reveals Patel.

“The centre has been well supported and has improved morale at the hospital.”

Given the huge shortage of nurses and the need to maintain competencies to function effectively, GSH also celebrated International Nurses Day in 2022 with the opening of a Nursing, Teaching and Learning Centre.

Various learning modules have been set up at the centre for nursing staff, who are educated and assessed on both the theoretical and practical components of these modules.

“This creates a culture of ongoing learning and teaching for the staff, and need not be restricted to nurses,” Patel

says, citing the hospital’s vision to be the leading academic hospital in Africa with international standing.

As a government-funded teaching hospital, GSH is renowned as the training ground for some of the best doctors, surgeons and nurses in SA.

GSH currently houses several clinical academic departments and plays host to the Heart of Cape Town Museum. After the hospital built new wings in the years following the ground-breaking operation, the theatres in which it took place were preserved for posterity in the form of the museum, which is dedicated to the achievements of Barnard and the world’s first successful human heart transplant.

The museum not only stands as a testament to the quality of South African medical practitioners, but also

Committed to sustainable healthcare

The world of health never stands still. And neither have we. At every moment that counts, we will be there. From continuously devising and improving our existing tools and programs that help assess and optimise efficiencies, reduce cost and increase patient outcomes across healthcare organisations, to contributing to a more resilient and sustainable work environment to ensure all healthcare practitioners focus on what matters most to them: providing the best care for their patients.

At BD, our strategic partnerships across the patient journey, combined with our scale, and 125 years of experience have made us uniquely able to continually advance science and clinical outcomes, caring for patients and healthcare workers.

Plan to Protect Check on Progress

D

Do: Make Change

Up to 56% of all adverse events among hospitalized Patients are the result of preventable medication errors.1,2 38% of errors occur in the administration phase.3 90% of hospitalized patients receive IV medications.4

P C A

Implementing BD Guardrails™ Dose Error Reduction Systems has been shown to reduce harm and serious events at the point of care.5,6

Act: Hold the Gain

BD CQI™ comprehensively audits IV-medication ‘good saves’ and compliance with your medication safety program.7

Rapid updating of DERS libraries to meet identified IVmedication safety gaps can be made via BD connected solutions.7

1. European Medicines Agency. Good Practice Guide on Recording, Coding, Reporting and Assessment of Medication Errors. 2014. Report No.: EMA/762563/2014. 2. National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. Medical Errors. © 2016 National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention 2014 Available from: URL: http://www.nccmerp.org/about-medication-errors. 3. Von Laue NC, Schwappach DL, Koeck CM. The epidemiology of preventable adverse drug events: a review of the literature. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2003 Jul 15;115(12):407-15. 4. Husch M, Sullivan C, Rooney D, Barnard C, Fotis M, Clarke J, et al. Insights from the sharp end of intravenous medication errors: implications for infusion pump technology. Qual Saf Health Care 2005 Apr;14(2):80-6.

5. Sutherland A, Gerrard WS, Patel A, Randall M, Weston E. The impact of drug error reduction software on preventing harmful adverse drug events in England: a retrospective database study. BMJ Open Qual. 2022 Jul;11(3):e001708. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2021-001708. PMID: 35820711; PMCID: PMC9277403. 6. ManriqueRodríguez S, Sánchez-Galindo A, López-Herce J, Calleja-Hernández MÁ, Martínez-Martínez F, Iglesias-Peinado I, Carrillo-Álvarez A, Sanjurjo-Sáez M, FernándezLlamazares C. Implementing Smart Pump technology in a pediatric intensive care unit: a cost-effective approach. Int J Med Inform. 2014 Feb;83(2):99-105. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2013.10.011. Epub 2013 Nov 13. PMID: 24296271. 7. Waterson J, Al-Jaber R, Kassab T, Al-Jazairi AS. Twelve-Month Review of Infusion Pump

Near-Miss Medication and Dose Selection Errors and User-Initiated “Good Save” Corrections: Retrospective Study. JMIR Hum Factors. 2020 Aug 11;7(3):e20364. doi: 10.2196/20364. PMID: 32667895; PMCID: PMC7448173.

© 2023 BD. All rights reserved. BD and the BD Logo are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners

serves as a reminder that organ donors are heroic in their selfless commitment to aiding others in their hour of need.

SET FOR THE FUTURE

Another facility that GSH recently opened is the Adolescent Centre of Excellence (ACE), where adolescent outpatient services and psychological support are offered jointly by paediatric and adult clinicians.

This, together with the hospital’s existing adolescent inpatient ward, is the only such service of its kind in SA, recognising that many paediatric patients were being affected by chronic medical conditions and reaching adolescence without being transitioned into adult medical services.

The Diabetes Centre, meanwhile, was set up within the hospital to focus on multidisciplinary care for the increasing number of diabetic

OUTPATIENT SERVICES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT ARE OFFERED JOINTLY BY PAEDIATRIC AND ADULT CLINICIANS’

patients, offering a one-stop care facility.

As well as opening several facilities, GSH implemented a number of innovations in 2022 including a positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) machine for the treatment of cancer patients, and the da Vinci Xi surgical robot, becoming the first public facility in Africa to provide assisted robotic surgery.

“Surgeons, nurses and technical staff have been trained to perform

not only urological procedures, but also gynaecological, colorectal, and cardiothoracic procedures,” Patel shares.

GSH also continues to be the only public hospital in SA that offers heart, liver, lung, and kidney transplant services, with a transplant unit headed by a transplant specialist set up to bring together all the physicians and surgeons to work collaboratively to increase the number of operations done.

‘ANOTHER FACILITY THAT GSH RECENTLY OPENED IS THE ADOLESCENT CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (ACE), WHERE ADOLESCENT

At Phoenix Neomed we are committed to providing state of the art medical devices that are essential for saving lives. We are dedicated to delivering cutting edge technology and unparalleled quality to healthcare facilities, hospitals, and clinics.

Our products include a wide range of critical medical equipment, such as ventilators, incubators, aEEGs, infusion management, patient monitors and much more. We understand the importance of reliable and efficient equipment in critical care situations, and our products are designed to meet the highest standards of performance and safety.

At Phoenix Neomed, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service and support. Our team of experts is always available to answer your questions and provide guidance on the best products to meet your specific needs. We are committed to building lasting relationships with our customers, and our focus on quality and reliability ensures that you can count on us for years to come.

If you are looking for a reliable and innovative medical equipment company, look no further than us. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services and how we can help you to provide the best possible care for your patients.

www.phoenixneomed.co.za

info@phoenixneomed.co.za

The focus on infection prevention and control (IPC) likewise energised the need to appoint a specialist to manage the IPC unit and focus on monitoring this part of the service.

With all these additional innovations, facilities and units in place, GSH’s focus for the next three years is firmly on strengthening the health system and developing a renewed strategy to meet patient needs.

“For the coming year, plans will be put in place and teams will be set up to start exploring how this could function on a practical level,” concludes Patel, whose personal vision is to see GSH continue to be a leading innovative healthcare institution, and a centre of excellence where both staff and patients feel valued and cared for.

“This is something that I would really like us to sustain going forwards.”

www.westerncape.gov.za

Schindler is a proud mobility partner for the Groote Schuur hospital, ensuring safe, no fuss and reliable transport for our Healthcare workers, Patients and Visitors.

+ 27 87 087 6555 sales@za.schindler.com | www.schindler.co.za schindlergroup schindler | schindlergroup

We Elevate...Hospitals.

GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL

PRODUCED