Espirito Santo Saude SGPS : ERS Attributes Clinical Excellence to Hospital da Luz Network Units

ERS Attributes Clinical Excellence to Hospital da Luz Network Units

05-01-17

Five units of Hospital da Luz Network obtained the maximum rating of three stars for Clinical Excellence in several areas of their medical and surgical activity, according to the global report from SINAS (National System of Evaluation in Health), recently divulged by ERS, the Portuguese Healthcare Regulation Authority.

Therefore, Hospital da Luz Lisboa obtained once again the rating of three stars for clinical excellence, in the areas of orthopedics (namely, hip and knee total arthroplasty) and gynecology (namely performance and follow-up of hysterectomy).

In the areas of general surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, obstetrics and neurology, Hospital da Luz Lisboa received two stars, thus maintaining levels of excellence above average.

As for Hospital da Luz Arrábida, it obtained, once again, the rating of three stars for clinical excellence in the areas of gynecology (namely performance and follow-up of hysterectomy) and orthopedics (hip and knee total arthroplasty), having obtained two stars (above average rating) in the areas of cardiac surgery, general surgery and obstetrics.

In what concerns Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim, it received once again three stars for clinical excellence in the areas of orthopedics (hip and knee total arthroplasty) and obstetrics (labor and neonatal care), having obtained two stars in the area of gynecology.

On the other hand, Hospital da Luz Aveiro raised from two to three stars for clinical excellence in the area of orthopedics, namely in hip and knee total arthroplasty.

Finally, Hospital da Luz Setúbal obtained the maximum rating of three stars in the area of orthopedics (hip and knee total arthroplasty).

The ERS also audits the behavior of health institutions in areas related with patient safety, facilities comfort and suitability, equipment quality, as well as the adequacy level of services to patient needs and expectations. In all these areas, the above-mentioned units from Hospital da Luz network were audited, obtaining ratings of two or three stars, therefore maintaining quality levels above average.

The results of this evaluation, concerning 2015, were divulged on January 3 by ERS, but do not determine hospital ranking, once the decision as to the areas to submit to SINAS evaluation is of the very units' responsibility.

SINAS is a modular system of quality evaluation among healthcare providers, at multidimensional level. In the module dedicated to providers with inpatient care, five dimensions of quality are assessed: Clinical Excellence, Patient Safety, Facilities Comfort and Suitability, Patient Centeredness, and Patient Satisfaction.
The dimension of Clinical Excellence aims to evaluate the quality of healthcare in itself. The performance of units is assessed in different clinical areas, through a series of indicators specific to those areas. Therefore, the evaluation of Clinical Excellence of units is a sum of parcel evaluations in each clinical area and not a single-centered rating.

SINAS is based on three fundamental values: accuracy, transparence and objectivity. The Portuguese Health Regulation Authority argues that this evaluation system 'guarantees scientific and technical accuracy, objectiveness and fairness, motivation and commitment from healthcare providers, transparence and intelligibility, for the public in general and the patients in particular'.