'First Class Hospital Housekeeping' - a 'must attend' OHMC 2011 Workshop

To explore the latest developments in this essential aspect of hospital and clinic management, a three-day Operational Hospital Management Conference (OHMC) will be held alongside the Pan African Health (PAH) Expo for the first time. The conference theme is "First Class Hospital Housekeeping" and will run from 5 to 7 October at the Sandton Convention Centre.

"This is not just another conference," explains Conference spokesperson Ashwin Hurribunce. Hurribunce has been involved with the Conference since 2007. He stresses the importance of detailed, efficient management techniques in the smooth running of hospitals and clinics. "We will be focusing on the basics of management, and how to apply them to real hospital situations.

It's all about quality - in every aspect

"Hospitals are rehabilitation centres for the sick and injured and should be kept clean, comfortable and disease-free at all times," he says. "First class hospital housekeeping is about achieving high levels of quality in all aspects of healthcare."

The role of housekeeping in hospitals is to create a peaceful, pleasant and infection-free atmosphere required for the speedy recovery of patients. It should also be a homely atmosphere for both the patients and their visitors, be they family or friends.

Topics to be covered by the conference include:

• Energy management in hospitals;
  
• Streamlining procurement of goods and services;
  
• Organising and maintaining hygiene factors;
  
• Essential personal and professional attributes of caregivers.

About the conference

The OHMC 2011 adopts an interactive format this year, with delegates touring the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital before the conference workshop commences.

The largest hospital in the world, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital occupies 173 acres (0.7km2), with 3200 beds and 6760 staff members. More than 2000 patients check in to the hospital daily.

The 2011 OHMC workshop is approved by The Health Professional Council for CDP points.

"Having the Conference in conjunction with the Pan African Health Expo allows delegates and visitors to experience all the latest new products and services first-hand, while also interacting with service providers face-to-face," explains Hurribunce. "It provides managers and decision makers with a vital platform to build lasting relationships, and also clarify the many challenges faced by providers."

About OHMC

OHMC is the Southern African healthcare sector's premier hospital management conference aimed at improving the performance and quality of services at public hospitals. The conference offers a tangible learning and sharing opportunity for all management levels in public and private hospitals and clinics, and the health care sector in general.

OHMC has effectively achieved this for the past five years through identifying real challenges and problems faced by management in the health sector. The Operational Hospital Management Conference aims to provide healthcare management with practical solutions to meet the ever-increasing demands placed on healthcare resources.

The conference is endorsed by the Department of Health, MedPages, the South African Medical Association, Medical Chronicle, the Medical Electronic Library of South Africa and the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.

Pan African Health Expo

The Pan African Health Expo is the premier event in the broad healthcare community in Southern Africa. The Expo allows manufacturers and distributors of medical equipment and technology to showcase their products with qualified healthcare professionals in attendance. The objective is to promote the capabilities and capacity of the medical industry, including medical and pharmaceutical technologies available throughout Africa.

For more information on the Pan African Health Expo and the OHMC, contact Bette McNaughton at Fair Consultants on +27 11 783 5796 or email moc.stnatlusnocriaf@etteb.

For more information go to www.fairconsultants.com.