Despite its medical advances, Belgium is lagging behind in terms of patient safety. The rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Belgian hospitals reaches 9.2%, well above the European average of 6.8%. Worse still, 14% of these infections concern postoperative wounds.
gullPatient safety must become a top priority if we are to build a resilient system.”
For Dirk De Ridder, Director of Quality and Health Policy Research at UZ Leuven, the situation is worrying: “These figures are alarming and show the urgency of improving prevention and surveillance practices. Patient safety must become a top priority if we are to build a resilient system. Benchmarking functions as a quality improvement tool provided that these results are discussed in hospitals and other forums with relevant stakeholders. It is indeed essential to put in place effective strategies as well as reinforced surveillance and prevention measures to reduce infections and protect our patients.“ By building on its good access to care and focusing on research and medical innovation, Belgium has the potential to meet these challenges and become a leader in patient safety.”
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With infections largely preventable, the report highlights that Belgium could turn these flaws into opportunities, relying on innovation and research. But for now, the results remain disappointing.
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Caregivers, the pillar of any health system, are in distress. In Belgium, the patient/nurse ratio in hospitals is 9.4, well beyond the recommendation of 8. This overload leads to constant pressure, accentuated by time-consuming administrative tasks and an imbalance between professional and private life.
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gullThe lack of nurses is a global problem, but in Belgium, it is aggravated by the organization and financing of care.”
Dr Gilbert Bejjani, Vice-President of ABSyM-BVAS, sounds the alarm: “The lack of nurses is a global problem, but in Belgium, it is aggravated by the organization and financing of care. Too many avoidable hospitalizations and a rigid model are leading us straight into the wall. There is a need for greater efficiency and a redistribution of missions and functions, through multiple collaborations between and outside hospitals. We must radically review the model, the organization and the financing, otherwise we are heading straight into the wall. It is time to rethink our approach by adopting innovations that reduce the workload of doctors and nurses while making them more efficient. A change of focus is essential to build a health system that is not only qualitative but also sustainable and resilient.”
-According to the barometer, the mental well-being of Belgian caregivers is one of the lowest in Europe. Added to this is a worrying trend: by 2030, the European Union forecasts a deficit of 4.1 million health professionals, worsening an already critical situation.
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Reforms are long overdue
Belgium devotes a significant part of its resources to health, but the effectiveness of its system leaves something to be desired. Prolonged hospital stays, above the European average, increase costs and increase the ecological footprint.
While some initiatives attempt to provide solutions, such as reducing waste or introducing ecological fuels, these efforts remain marginal in the face of systemic needs. Dr Bejjani insists: “We must rethink the organization of care and adopt innovations that reduce the burden on caregivers while improving quality.”
However, the Resilience Barometer does not just paint a gloomy picture: it launches a call for action. To strengthen its resilience, Belgium must fundamentally rethink its financing and organizational model. Structural measures are necessary, in particular to reduce HAIs, improve the well-being of caregivers and rationalize resources.
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Among the expected and desired reforms, we can cite strengthening patient safety through quality and infection prevention programs, supporting healthcare workers with initiatives against burn-out and technologies to reduce workload, promote efficiency and sustainability by optimizing processes and reducing the ecological footprint and reform financing to encourage quality of care, innovation and guarantee optimal performance.
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