Enhancing the image of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital.

(Baonghean) - 2017 was the first year that the Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital was completely self-sufficient in terms of recurrent expenditures. To successfully fulfill its nhiệm vụ, the Hospital has implemented many effective methods. Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Dr. Thai Thi Xuan - Director of the Hospital - regarding this issue.

Reporter:Doctor, could you please tell us about the outstanding achievements of the Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital in 2017?

The Propaganda Department of the Cua Lo Town Party Committee presents awards to outstanding Party members of 2017. Photo: Thanh Thuy

Doctor Thai Thi Xuan:2017 was a special year, presenting many difficulties, challenges, and opportunities for the hospital's development. To successfully accomplish its tasks, the hospital developed and implemented a development plan for 2017 and the following years from the beginning of the year.

With the aim of improving the professional quality and service attitude of medical staff, as well as building a green, clean, and beautiful hospital, and gradually enhancing the hospital's brand, the hospital has implemented the following: inviting experts to provide training and certification in hospital quality management; developing a plan for "autonomy" in recurrent expenditures, which was approved by the Provincial People's Committee (the first provincial-level hospital to be approved for "autonomy" among the 8 "autonomous" hospitals in the province) according to Decision No. 1791/QD-UBND dated May 5, 2017, of the Provincial People's Committee, for the period 2017-2019. As a result, the hospital has streamlined its organizational structure and personnel management.

On May 23, 2017, four new clinical departments were established: General Internal Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Occupational Therapy, and Infection Control, along with three functional departments: Administration and Management; Quality Management of Training and Referral; and Supplies, Equipment, and Information Technology, to meet the needs of serving patients.Collaborating with leading professors in the fields of rehabilitation, neurology, emergency resuscitation, and traditional medicine... to provide medical examination and treatment, training, and technology transfer to enhance medical skills; cooperating with Hai Phong Medical University to provide on-site training in rehabilitation for 42 doctors of the hospital.

In particular, in 2017, the hospital was granted a training code according to Decision No. 78/QD-K2DT dated July 10, 2017, of the Department of Science and Technology and Training - Ministry of Health. The hospital trained and certified 61 trainees in physiotherapy and rehabilitation within the hospital and for other medical facilities in the province.

A leading professor examines and treats stroke patients currently being treated at the hospital. Photo: Lam Tung.

By December 15, 2017, the hospital had provided outpatient and inpatient treatment to 6,646 patients. The living standards of staff and workers have been gradually improved, with an average increase in income of approximately 2 million VND per person per month (exceeding the target set by the 21st Party Congress, 2015-2020 term). Scientific research has also been a focus of the hospital, with 8 research projects completed during the year, receiving 4 "good" and 4 "fair" ratings. The hospital has also effectively supervised 10 districts and towns with 64 communes in the province. In 2017, the hospital was rated excellent by the Nghe An Department of Health and recommended for a Certificate of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee. The Party branch was recommended for a "clean and strong" rating; the hospital's Trade Union and Youth Union were recommended for excellent ratings. The Trade Union was recommended for a Certificate of Merit from the Provincial Federation of Labor.

Reporter:Besides successfully fulfilling its main nhiệm vụ of examining, treating, and rehabilitating patients, 2017 was also the year in which the hospital affirmed its "brand" through many other professional activities.

Doctor Thai Thi Xuan:That's absolutely true. In 2017, the hospital was assigned by the Ministry of Health as the focal point for planning and implementing the community-based rehabilitation program (Nghe An was one of 14 provinces nationwide) and was approved by the Minister of Health for the project "Healthcare and rehabilitation for victims of chemical toxins/dioxin" for the period 2018-2021 (Nghe An was one of 10 provinces nationwide). The hospital was assigned to participate in this project; it collaborated with the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management to provide training on early detection and early intervention for children with disabilities (October 25-27, 2017) for three provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh.

In particular, a nationally unprecedented event took place in Nghe An, with the Rehabilitation Hospital as a highly successful co-organizer: the "First National Scientific Conference of Pain Management Units" (November 25-26, 2017). This was a major scientific event of great significance to the scientific life of Vietnamese pain research experts. The conference served as a forum for pain management units from within and outside the province to report on their operational experiences and initial achievements. It also provided a platform to listen to valuable and insightful suggestions for determining the personnel structure, equipment, medications, and functions and responsibilities of the pain management units.

On this occasion, the Pain Management Units Club was established and outlined a specific annual operational strategy for pain management activities in practice. A very important part of the conference was that managers and experts would discuss an approach to gradually train and educate professional staff in pain management skills and pain medicine.

The Club of Pain Management Units was launched at the National Pain Management Units Workshop. Photo: Lam Tung.

Reporter:2018 will also present many challenges for the Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital. So, what solutions will the hospital focus on to effectively fulfill its mission, Doctor?

Dr. Thai Thi Xuan: In 2018, to successfully complete its tasks, the hospital focused on the following solutions:

Firstly, strengthen comprehensive unity and solidarity within the hospital, from the Party committee, leadership, key officials to all staff and employees.

Secondly, improve the overall skills of hospital staff through various means: sending them for in-depth training in specialized fields, professional skills, management, politics, foreign languages, information technology, etc.; providing on-the-job training, continuous training, short-term, medium-term, and long-term training. Particular emphasis should be placed on comprehensive rehabilitation training for medical staff. Effective coordination with other organizations within the unit is also crucial.

Thirdly, upgrade facilities, equipment, and supplies to be modern and standardized.

Fourth, conduct extensive public awareness campaigns to ensure that all segments of the population understand the functions, duties, roles, and responsibilities of the hospital.

Fifth, screen patients to ensure they are admitted for inpatient treatment, and guide people to practice self-training in the community to prevent and reduce disability and disease recurrence.

Sixth, strengthen guidance to lower-level units on rehabilitation, community-based rehabilitation, and rehabilitation for victims of dioxin poisoning.

Seventh, maximize internal resources and leverage support from all levels, sectors, and relevant organizations to maintain and enhance the "brand" of a green, clean, and beautiful hospital, worthy of being the first hotel-hospital model in the province.

Reporter:Thank you, doctor, for this conversation!

Thanh Thuy

(Perform)