Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

`Hospitals should improve procedures'

Staff Reporter

Patients becoming conscious of cost-effective healthcare

COIMBATORE: Medical industry has seen significant technological developments in the last five to six years. The patients, too, are becoming conscious of cost effective healthcare, said Nalla G. Palaniswami, chairman, Kovai Medical Centre Hospital (KMCH). Therefore, it was necessary for hospitals to develop their own systems and procedures, he said while speaking at a seminar on "Emerging Trends in Health and Hospital Administration."

Market share

In view of the developments in the industry, KMCH was focussing on consolidating its share in the market and expanding services to West Bengal, Orissa and North-Eastern States, Mr. Palaniswami said. He added that medical insurance business had also grown substantially. Ten per cent to 12 per cent of the patients in the hospital had insurance cover.

St. Joseph's University, Pennsylvania, had started a course in Hospital Administration in association with KMCH, at the hospital.

Main focus

The main focus of Business Administration, was error - free quality care, said John J. Newhouse, Chair and Programme Director, Department of Health Science, St. Joseph's University.

To ensure this, transparency, removal of the culture of fear and blame, and effective problem solving were required.

Hospital management and administration called for effective organisational performance, increased co-ordination of care systems, cost control, service quality and accountability, Mr. Newhouse said.

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