Implementing Quality Assurance in Public Health Facilities: The Malaysian Experience

Abstract

The Quality Assurance Programme (QAP) in the public sector of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia had been in place for more than 25 years. It is an effort by the government to ensure that care provided is at par with the regional and the worldwide standards. The process toward attaining what was achieved today is neither an overnight nor an easy journey. Thus, this paper intends to share the implementation progress of QAP in the MOH government facilities for future benefits. To date, the MOH's champions in quality are well-recognized and had a strong governance structure that oversees the programme. Indicators were identified according to the needs of the activities in MOH and these measurements were used to measure the quality of the healthcare services in the government facilities. Sharing of best practices is done through local quality improvement journals and reports on the quality activities and research. Among the challenges faced is the process of gathering information.After 25 years, MOH is still collecting the information manually and hopefully, a better approach can be established.

Prevalence of diabetic kidney disease and the associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes in a multi-ethnic Asian country

“…This secondary dataset was routinely collected every year since the registry’s inception in 2009 as a surveillance platform to track the quality of diabetes care in public health clinics, aid policymaking, and used for research purposes 11 . The clinical audit, also known as the Quality Assurance Study, is under the National Quality Assurance Programme to ensure that the care given by the Ministry of Health Malaysia follows regional and international standards 11 , 15 .…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Level of Family Planning Service Recipients in the Health District of Petaling, Selangor

“…The important factors identified in this study have been used for the formulation of targeted intervention strategies towards improving FP uptake in PKD Petaling as part of the District Specific Approach (DSA) Quality Assurance Programme (QAP). In contrast to National Indicator Approach (NIA) whereby performance indicators are formulated for ground level staff at higher level using a top-down approach, DSA applies a bottom-up approach in which health districts or hospitals staff identify and solve specific local problems (Haniza, Mohamed, & Abu Bakar, 2015). Vital strategies have been implemented based on findings from this study to improve the uptake of FP in PKD Petaling.…”