Quality Department at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH)

At Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH), our Quality Department is dedicated to delivering exceptional health services that meet and exceed client expectations. Guided by our commitment to excellence, we adhere to the highest standards at every service delivery point, ensuring that our care is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered.

Our Commitment to Excellence

Quality healthcare is our top priority, and we are guided by six fundamental principles that we monitor daily: Safety, Timeliness, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity, and Patient-Centeredness. Each of these areas is essential in managing patient care and ensuring the best outcomes.

Continuous Improvement

We believe in constant improvement and regularly engage in Quality Improvement activities such as supportive supervision, clinical audits, and stringent Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures. These efforts include monitoring health-associated infections like surgical site infections, catheter-associated infections, ventilator-associated infections, and central line bloodstream infections.

Innovative Approaches

In 2007, MZRH was honored to be selected by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as a pilot hospital to implement the 5S KAIZEN – Total Quality Management (TQM) approach. This initiative was a response to challenges like long waiting times and poor working environments. Our successful implementation has since earned us recognition as a model of excellence in using this approach.

Training and Leadership

The success of 5S KAIZEN – TQM at MZRH has not only transformed our hospital but has also positioned us as a training hub for over six African countries, including Malawi, Kenya, and Uganda. Since 2010, we have proudly served as an international center for 5S-KAIZEN TQM training.

Remarkable Achievements

Our dedication to improvement has yielded significant results:

Reduced waiting times at reception, pharmacy, and clinics from 45 minutes to just 5-10 minutes.
Enhanced documentation of patient information.
Increased patient safety.
Reduced CSSD electrical costs by decreasing re-sterilization cycles from 1077 to 113 per day.
Improved customer care services through the creation of "Ask Me" teams and a customer care team that directly addresses patient complaints, opinions, and suggestions.

At MZRH, we are not just committed to meeting standards; we are committed to setting them. Join us in our journey of continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare. Together, we are transforming lives and setting new benchmarks for quality healthcare across Africa.