Directive No. 18/BYT-CT on improving the quality of patient service at medical examination and treatment facilities under current circumstances

DIRECTIVE

On improving the quality of patient service at medical examination and treatment facilities under current circumstances

In response to the public's opinions and criticisms regarding the spirit, attitude, and quality of patient service at medical examination and treatment facilities, in order to address shortcomings and enhance the quality of patient service under current circumstances, the Ministry requests that all Provincial Health Departments, units directly under the Ministry of Health, relevant sectors, and medical examination and treatment facilities from central to district levels implement the following actions:

I- UPHOLD THE SPIRIT AND ATTITUDE IN SERVING PATIENTS

1. Be diligent, enthusiastic, and fully committed to serving patients during medical examinations, treatments, and provision of medications.

2. The attitude towards patients must be courteous, respectful, and patiently explain any concerns of the patients. It is strictly prohibited to abuse power, become irritable, or show indifference or contempt towards patients and their families.

3. Prohibit acts of bribery, kickbacks, collusion, or suggesting that family members organize receptions before receiving treatment or performing procedures on patients.

4. Prohibit drinking alcohol during working hours, smoking while performing technical tasks, during medical examinations, and when dispensing medication.

5. Ensure safe treatment without causing fatal accidents or disabilities due to lack of responsibility or failure to strictly adhere to professional duties and regulations.

II- STRENGTHEN MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT WORK

1. Develop outpatient treatment both in quantity and quality at hospitals with beds, clinics, and regional multi-specialty clinics, including specialized departments and social diseases:

- Convert 10% of inpatient beds into outpatient beds (funds for one inpatient bed will be converted into funds for three outpatient beds).

Outpatients must meet the prescribed criteria; have medical records, treatment plans, regular follow-ups by doctors, recorded follow-up and prescriptions in medical logs, and final medical record summaries and treatment outcome evaluations.

- Emphasize outpatient treatment using rehabilitation methods, physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, acupressure...

2. Doctors issuing prescriptions for medication should provide a five-day supply, using essential drugs issued by the Ministry of Health according to the current capabilities of pharmacies, providing primary treatment medications, and if necessary, only one supportive medication.

3. Organize good services for elderly individuals within policy groups or retired officials:

- Special consultation desks should be available at clinics.

- Plan assignments for doctors to provide outpatient treatment at home for certain individuals and locations.

- Provincial hospitals need to establish separate treatment units for these groups within the staff department.

4. Mountain hospitals and regional multi-specialty clinics, in addition to increasing medical examinations for local residents, should also strengthen outreach work, organizing teams to provide outpatient examinations and treatments at homes based on local disease patterns and timeframes.

5. When patients are in critical condition and arrive at any medical facility, they must be examined and treated immediately; only when the patient's condition stabilizes can they be transferred along the designated referral pathway.

III- IMPLEMENT DECISION NO. 72-CT OF MARCH 25, 1986

ISSUED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND THE JOINT CIRCULAR

OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE NO. 13-TT/LB OF JULY 15, 1986 GUIDING THE SUBSIDY REGIME FOR MEDICATION AND FOOD COSTS FOR PATIENTS AT

STATE HEALTH FACILITIES.

1. Organize medical examinations and prescription drug distribution according to the specified criteria and standards.

2. Strictly manage subsidized medications according to Decision No. 72-CT dated March 25, 1986, issued by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

3. Medical personnel providing outpatient treatment must ensure compliance with the prescribed procedures (as stipulated in Point 1, Part II of this Directive).

4. Pharmaceutical joint ventures should plan to set up pharmacy counters at medical facilities to serve patients purchasing additional supportive medications or those not eligible for subsidized medications without having to travel far. Provincial and district pharmacies should organize the production of sterile umbilical cord bandages for sale to communes and residents to prevent neonatal tetanus.

5. All hospitals must prepare Oresol themselves; key chemicals will be supplied by the Pharmaceutical Joint Ventures. Pre-packaged Oresol bags are reserved for use at grassroots health facilities.

6. Hospitals, nursing homes, and maternity houses must ensure dietary and water provisions for patients. Properly organize daily food and drink services for patients according to the stipulated food allowance.

7. Units must organize cafeterias and services to further serve patients and their families, such as exchanging meals, selling breakfast items, food, additional cooking facilities, and other living supplies.

- Specifically, for patient meal services, reduce nutrition department staff to handle these tasks without seeking profit.

- Do not place cafeterias near entrances to ensure hygiene and safety for the hospital.

Upon receipt of this Directive, all Provincial Health Departments and medical examination and treatment facilities from central to local levels must:

- Disseminate it to all staff for study and strict implementation.

- Conduct quarterly inspections of Directive compliance and report to superiors.

- Severely punish any violations.