Sustaining world class quality and clinical excellence

Dr. Dena van den Bergh, BPharm; MSc (Med); EngD, general manager of national healthcare functions of the Life Group and speaker at this year’s Pan African Health Conference.

These are the words of Dr. Dena van den Bergh, General Manager of national healthcare functions and member of the executive team of the Life Healthcare Group, and speaker at this year's Pan African Health Conference and Expo. The event will take place at Gallagher Estate, Midrand from 11 to 13 September 2008.

“The reality, however, is that every day, some patients are harmed, or nearly-harmed, in healthcare establishments across the world” explains Dr. van den Bergh. “The harm is not intentional, but it nevertheless contributes to the suffering and possible death of those who entrust their health and their lives to the healthcare system. There is a global call that encourages us all to work towards a unanimous goal to improve clinical excellence in healthcare.” says Dr. van den Bergh.

Dr. Van den Bergh's presentation ‘Sustaining World Class Quality and Clinical Excellence' will illustrate the concept of an effective quality management system that has been established across the Life Healthcare Group's more than 60 hospitals with the aim of sustaining world class quality healthcare and clinical excellence. She will cover the measurements used, learning and achievements over the past two years with respect to patient safety, nosocomial infections, clinical excellence and patient satisfaction. In particular, Dr. Van den Bergh will share with delegates the lessons learnt from implementing global quality initiatives in the South African setting.

Dr. van den Bergh's passion for the healthcare industry is reflected in her 24 years of successful accomplishment in the private sector. She has served on the Health Charter task team since February 2006, is a member of the board of the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA), and chairperson of both the Life College of Learning and the Life Healthcare Foundation. Her current position in Life Healthcare covers the significant areas of nursing services, pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical procurement and quality management systems, and she has been the driver of the group's quality programme, which has been replicated across all of the hospitals in order to continually elevate patient-centred care and improving clinical excellence. Dr. Van den Berg has delivered presentations at numerous international and national professional and academic conferences, and has regularly contributed articles for professional journals and magazines.

The theme of this year's Pan African Health Conference is “The Way Forward”. Topics to be discussed include nursing quality and costs; healthcare funding; regulatory and ethical issues within the industry, as well as cardio technology and innovation. Exhibitors showcasing at this event include categories involving surgical products and devices, pharmaceutical products, diagnostics and medical supplies, disposables, medical service providers as well as many others. Visitors of the event that will benefit largely are NGOs involved in healthcare, medical aid administrators, government health officials, hospitals and private clinic employees as well as anyone involved in the medical profession.

Held alongside that of the Pan African Health Conference and Expo, is that of the unique ACSA Disability Expo that will be showcasing lifestyle choices for anyone with any type of disability.

Contact

For more information on the Pan African Heath Expo and Conference 2008, or on the ACSA Disability Expo 2008 contact Bette McNaughton of Fair Consultants SA. Tel: 021 713 3360. Fax: (021) 713 3366. E-mail: . Website: www.fairconsultants.com. Publicity: Contact Catherine Larkin at CVL Consulting: Tel: 011 787-9127 / 011 789-7327. Cell: 083 300 0331. E-mail: