Assessing quality in emergency health care: an impossible task?

摘要

We as a family were recently the receivers of health care, with the birth of our firstborn son who arrived a little early. It is always a learning experience to be the receiver of health care, and it certainly focuses the mind as to what is important in its delivery. We were fortunate and I am pleased to say that despite the urgent nature of the situation, both mother and baby are well. However for me - usually the consultant in charge - being admitted for emergency surgery was an eye-opening experience. I have nothing but admiration for Miss Wallace who expertly performed the caesarean section and safely brought both mother and baby through the whole experience. The entire undertaking set me thinking about quality assessment in health care and, in particular, the emergency setting.