Chief of Staff Dr Dick Zoutman and QHC CEO Mary Clare Egberts at the January 2017 board meeting (File photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
The outgoing Chief of Staff for Quinte Health Care is looking forward to new challenges and Dr. Dick Zoutman maintains there will always be challenges as health care systems continue to evolve rapidly.
While making his final report to the QHC Board of Directors Tuesday, Dr. Zoutman said Health Information Systems should be including patient information not only available to physicians but to the patient and his or her family as well.
Further to that, Dr. Zoutman says any patient’s medical information should be readily available to outside organizations such as Home and Community Care, family doctors, clinics, and pharmacies.
Meanwhile, Zoutman is a keen supporter of more medical facilities being created outside of hospitals to provide same day care of various kinds.
“The model for a health hub is a good one. Our area is too dependent on hospital care for ambulatory patients.”
Finally, Zoutman said the idea of “continuous improvement” in work processes is one that must be focused on day in and day out and staff need to know their input is valued, as they are the ones doing the work.
