Seven healthcare units in the province of Almeria have today received quality certification from the Andalusian Healthcare Quality Agency (ACSA), a body belonging to the Regional Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs responsible for promoting quality and continuous improvement in the healthcare system.
These are the primary care centres of Adra and Aguadulce-El Parador, of the Poniente District, the Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities unit of the North Health Management Area and the Nuclear Medicine units of the Torrecárdenas University Hospital, which have received the ‘Advanced’ quality mark. Likewise, the Paediatrics unit of the Hospital Universitario Poniente and the Cardiology and Maxillofacial Surgery units of the Hospital Universitario Torrecárdenas have achieved quality certification at a higher level, ‘Optimum’, a grade that requires high compliance in standards associated with greater development of the organisation, information systems, new technologies and the redesign of organisational spaces.
The award ceremony was held today at the Territorial Delegation of Health and Consumer Affairs and was presided over by the territorial delegate of the branch in Almeria, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte, accompanied by the director of the Andalusian Health Quality Agency, José Ignacio del Río Maza de Lizana. The event was also attended by the heads of the certified centres and units, as well as a representation of their management teams and quality units.
Through the ACSA certification process, these units have demonstrated their commitment to excellence and the continuous improvement of the service they offer to the public, guaranteeing that their activity complies with the quality criteria defined in the standards manuals of this certifying body. These criteria evaluate, among others, aspects related to the management of the unit’s processes and services, the rights, expectations and satisfaction of users, the scientific-technical quality of care and the safety of the processes.
Furthermore, through the self-assessment that the units have carried out on these standards, ratified in assessment visits, the certification process has represented an opportunity for learning and growth, which has enabled the identification and development of improvement actions that have a direct impact on the quality of the service that these units offer to the public.
ACSA quality certification
The certification of these centres consolidates the commitment to quality and certification of health services in the province of Almeria, which currently has 66 certified units and centres. These include 30 hospital care units, 16 primary care units, 12 early childhood care centres, four continuing education units, two hospitals, the Transfusion, Tissue and Cell Transfusion Centre of Almeria and the 061 Health Emergency Centre.
The Andalusian Health Quality Agency (ACSA) is a public organisation attached to the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs of the Andalusian Regional Government and is part of the Progreso y Salud Foundation. Its purpose is to promote the culture of quality and continuous improvement of the services provided by health and social services organisations and professionals, through certification and mentoring tools and services, always seeking excellence in health care and social welfare.