Health
Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital Achieves Three-Year Re-Accreditation
The Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital has secured re-accreditation for an additional three years from DNV-GL (DET Norske Veritas from Norway and Germanischer Lloyd) based in Germany.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, revealed this achievement during a recent session of the House of Assembly. He commended the dedicated team at the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) for their relentless efforts and hard work, which played a pivotal role in this success.
Honourable Wheatley acknowledged that the BVIHSA team had invested years crafting hundreds of new policies and tirelessly improving various aspects that directly impacted the quality and safety of care provided by the Authority.
The Health Minister stated, “The choice of the DNV program was deliberate because it aligns with the BVIHSA’s steadfast commitment to patient safety and overall quality. DNV-GL is a preeminent accreditation body that employs a developmental, stepwise approach to accreditation, ensuring organisations like the BVIHSA are constantly in pursuit of excellence while adhering to globally recognised standards and best practices.”
The DNV-GL accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard in healthcare, incorporating NIAHO (National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations) and ISO (International Standards Organization) 9001 standards for healthcare, as well as ISO 15189 for medical laboratories.
Back in 2020, the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital received its initial accreditation from DNV-GL, a respected organization that accredits over 635 hospitals in the United States of America and 15 hospitals across Brazil, China, Iceland, Slovenia, The Czech Republic, and Thailand.
Honourable Wheatley emphasized, “Within our region, we stand shoulder to shoulder with distinguished healthcare facilities such as Health City Cayman Islands, Barbados Fertility Centre, Bermuda Hospitals Board, and Doctors Hospital in the Bahamas, all accredited by Joint Commission International.”
He further added, “Additionally, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, Bermuda Hospitals Board, and Interhealth Canada (TCI) LTD in the Turks and Caicos Islands hold accreditation from Accreditation Canada. Remarkably, the BVIHSA, the steward of Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, is one of only three public health systems in the region with internationally accredited status.”
To maintain its accreditation, the BVIHSA underwent a meticulous self-assessment, followed by a readiness assessment and a formal assessment of compliance with DNV-GL/NIOSH standards earlier this year. In the second year, the Health Service Authority will undergo a follow-up DNV-GL assessment and an ISO 9001 pre-assessment to demonstrate sustained progress. In the third year, BVIHSA will culminate this journey with an ISO 9001 certification audit to validate the quality of the management system.
Amidst mounting concerns over the malfunctioning air conditioning system at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has announced the arrival of an expert technician from Johnson Corporation, who is now on-site at the hospital, working to rectify the air conditioning problem.
“We’re pleased to announce that the expert technician from Johnson Corporation is now on-site at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, working diligently to resolve the air conditioning issue. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work to ensure a comfortable environment for all our patients and staff,” the post read.
The hospital has been grappling with the air conditioning malfunction for some time, causing discomfort for both patients and staff amidst soaring temperatures. J.M. Samuel MBBS, DM, Acting Interim Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the challenges posed by the ongoing issue in a press release last week, and assured the community of the hospital’s commitment to addressing the technical complexities.
“Our top priority is to ensure the well-being of everyone involved while we work diligently to address the technical complexities at hand,” stated J.M. Samuel.
In response to the crisis, emergency surgeries have been redirected to Bougainvillea Clinic to minimize disruptions, with staff advised to adhere to reduced working hours and utilize established cooling stations for relief.
“We are actively engaging resources to manage this crisis effectively,” added J.M. Samuel. “Flexibility in our work arrangements and the provision of cooling stations are vital steps towards maintaining a comfortable environment amidst these challenging circumstances.”
Efforts to rectify the situation have been underway, with technicians from the system manufacturer engaged to oversee necessary installations and software updates.
Despite the temporary suspension of elective surgeries, the BVIHSA remains resolute in its commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare services to all residents of the British Virgin Islands.
Health
AC Challenges Lead to Temporary Suspension of Elective Surgeries at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has temporarily suspended all elective surgeries at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, with only emergency procedures being accommodated due to concerns regarding the air conditioning (AC) system.
The hospital is currently grappling with a temperature control issue stemming from a software malfunction in the AC chilling unit, causing erratic cooling cycles. The BVIHSA has reassured the community of its efforts to address this technical challenge and requests patience during the resolution process.
Efforts are underway to rectify the situation, with the engagement of the system manufacturer and the procurement of necessary parts and software. Upon their arrival in the territory, a technician from the manufacturer will oversee the installation process.
As a consequence of these AC-related complications, adjustments to hospital services are inevitable to ensure the comfort and well-being of patients, visitors, and staff. Additionally, modifications to pharmacy outpatient services have been implemented, requiring medication orders to be submitted via WhatsApp or refill requests via phone for next-day pick-up between specified hours.
The BVIHSA extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused by these service alterations and assures the public of its commitment to swiftly resolve the issue. Despite these challenges, the authority remains dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to all residents of the British Virgin Islands, expressing gratitude for the community’s understanding and cooperation during this period of adjustment.
Health
Environmental Health Issues Recall of Fratelli Beretta Ready-to-Eat Charcuterie Meat Products
The Environmental Health Division has alerted the public to a recall of Fratelli Beretta Ready-to-Eat Charcuterie Meat Products due to potential under processing.
Specifically, the Ready-to-Eat Coppa products, with varying best by dates, are subject to recall if they bear the establishment number “EST. M47967 or M7543B” inside the USDA mark of inspection or in inkjet print on the front of the package.
Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc. initiated the recall due to concerns of under-processing in products containing Coppa (dry cured pork), which could lead to potential contamination with foodborne pathogens.
These products have been distributed to distributors and retailers globally, including the Virgin Islands. The Environmental Health Division is actively working with retailers to remove the affected products from shelves. However, some items may have already been sold to consumers.
The Ministry advises individuals in possession of the recalled products to cease usage immediately and return them to the place of purchase.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development, Environmental Health Division, pledges to monitor the situation closely and provide further guidance to the public as necessary. For additional information, individuals can contact the division at 468-5110.
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