Rationale and Background
Pediatric heart disease is an important public health issue in Thailand with high morbidity and mortality rates. The Ministry of Public Health has a policy to develop medical and public health services so that people in rural areas can access convenient, local, quality standard care, especially for diseases that require medical expertise and advanced technology such as congenital heart defects. It is therefore necessary to build understanding about the analysis and care of such diseases, as well as the ability to diagnose them early, provide treatment, and urgently refer patients for surgery when needed.
The Heart Institute at Rajavithi Hospital, together with the Pediatric Medicine division of Sakon Nakhon Hospital, recognize the importance of providing doctors, nurses, and medical personnel with knowledge and expertise in pediatric heart disease, as well as coordinating the network to provide comprehensive care for pediatric heart patients. Therefore, an academic conference is being held on developing the potential of the network for caring for pediatric heart patients in order to disseminate knowledge and provide an exchange of learning about caring for pediatric heart patients. This is for doctors and medical personnel from primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare units in Health Service Area 8 so that they can care for and treat pediatric heart patients correctly, rapidly and efficiently. This will help provide comprehensive care for pediatric heart patients and establish systematic working guidelines within the network, with Sakon Nakhon Hospital as the central coordinating center.
Objectives
1. To provide doctors, nurses and medical personnel in Health Service Area 8 with new knowledge on caring for and treating pediatric heart patients
2. To enable the exchange of academic knowledge within the network on continuous care of pediatric heart patients before and after surgery in order to reduce complications and mortality
3. To promote Sakon Nakhon Hospital as the coordinating center within Health Service Area 8 for registering pediatric heart patients awaiting surgery so they can access timely treatment
4. To inform healthcare facilities in the network about the role of the Heart Institute at Rajavithi Hospital in caring for pediatric heart patients, and establish agreements on coordinating patient referrals so that care access follows uniform guidelines
5. To enable pediatric heart patients on the surgery waitlist and suspected heart disease cases in Health Service Area 8 to receive additional diagnostic examinations from a team of expert lecturers
Target Group
200 doctors, nurses and medical personnel from the hospital network in Sakon Nakhon Province and hospitals in Health Service Area 8 including Udon Thani Hospital, Nakhon Phanom Hospital, Bueng Kan Hospital, Loei Hospital, Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital, Nong Khai Hospital
Timeline
November 27-28, 2014 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Phuphanluang Meeting Room, Sakon Nakhon Hospital with a lecturer team from the Heart Institute, Rajavithi Hospital
Expected Outcomes
An effective network can be established for referring pediatric heart patients for timely surgery at central hospitals
Doctors and medical personnel in Health Service Area 8 have improved knowledge and understanding of caring for pediatric heart patients
There is continuous exchange of academic knowledge within the network regarding care of pediatric heart patients before and after surgery
Sakon Nakhon Hospital serves as the coordinating center in Health Service Area 8 for registering pediatric heart patients awaiting surgery so they can better access treatment
Healthcare facilities in the network understand the role of the Heart Institute at Rajavithi Hospital and establish uniform guidelines for patient referrals to improve access to care
Pediatric heart patients in Health Service Area 8 receive timely diagnosis and access to treatment
