Better COVID-19 preparedness through accreditation and implementation of hospital management systems

31 July 2020

Overview

This webinar will present experiences and methods that accredited hospitals have followed to adopt and ensure a safe environment for patients, as well as for their staff amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The crisis has required healthcare providers to adapt to a continuously changing and demanding operational framework. During the pandemic, scientific updates and national guidelines issued by responsible authorities have been affecting the daily patient management processes. Infectious diseases prevention and screening procedures have had to be reviewed, and preparedness and response plans updated. An accredited healthcare provider where plans, regulatory systems, and protocols are standardised and already established, is familiar with the appropriate mechanisms to realise crucial adjustments at all levels of its functions. Specified roles, internal controls and standardised operational flows are among the crucial characteristics that support preparedness of a healthcare team and overall of an organisation.

SPEAKER

Dr Claudia Mika
View Details

Dr Claudia Mika

Dr Claudia Mika

Dr. Claudia Mika is the Founder and CEO of Temos International Healthcare Accreditation, a German-based international accreditation body.
Dr. Mika brings years of dedication to developing and improving the Temos accreditation programs, assessing hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres, reproductive care centres, and dental clinics worldwide. Having worked globally with healthcare providers, she has first-hand experience in building quality management systems as well as international patient departments from Brazil to the Philippines. With her team of experts in clinical and non-clinical services, Dr. Mika has created accreditation programs for hospitals and clinics that cater to domestic and international patients across a wide spectrum of healthcare disciplines. She actively participates in the accreditation process, spending time with clients to share her years of experience with the Continuous Quality Improvement process that is at the heart of successful accreditation.
Her commitment to quality outcomes, patient safety, risk reduction, and the patient experience as well as her track record for excellence and innovation is mirrored by the accreditation standards; always aiming at adding value for the users of the standards. In 2019, Dr. Mika successfully spearheaded the rigorous process of submitting Temos standards for accreditation by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua now known as IEEA) to firmly cement Temos’ place among the world’s elite international accreditation organisations.

Materials

What our Members say

I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.

Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy

Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.

Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria

I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.

Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta

EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.

Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK

Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.

Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary

As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.

Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal

Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.

Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK

Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.

Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain