Quality Improvement (QI) Consultation at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC)

Pictured are: Seth Clawson, Dr. Furaha Serventi, Megan Wensman, Irene Ngowi, Priscus Mapendo

Becoming the “Mayo Clinic” of Tanzania is not a small undertaking, but Prof Masenga, CEO of KCMC intends to do just that. Developing the QI Unit (QIU) and requesting GHM’s consultation to evaluate its readiness to support the journey toward international accreditation is their first step. Lilly Mukoka, MLS(ASCP) and GHM Board Member, began the consultation in February with a visit to KCMC to assess their quality processes, identify operational gaps, and support aligning systems with current global quality standards. Her recommendations included implementing a phased accreditation approach; revising internal audit tools using international (e.g., Joint Commission International [JCI]) standards; hiring a full-time Accreditation lead to coordinate all activities; establishing a dedicated accreditation team within the QIU.

To date, a full-time Accreditation lead position has been approved, two dedicated accreditation teams within the QIU have been established and they are using the JCI standards to conduct internal audits. The second part of this endeavor is in collaboration with the Foundation for Cancer Care in Tanzania (FCCT). FCCT and GHM have supported a master’s in healthcare administration (MHA) resident every summer since 2016. This year, Seth Clawson is using the JCI standards to conduct an internal audit in the Cancer Care Center. His preceptor, Megan Wensman, MHA, was the MHA resident at KCMC in 2019. We are excited to have Megan joining us as a volunteer consultant and giving back to the program she was part of in 2019!