Unity Health Care Hosts Philippines Department of Health and HRSA Delegates for a Quality Improvement Study Tour

In a meaningful exchange of healthcare knowledge and practices, Unity Health Care had the distinct honor of hosting a delegation from the Philippines Department of Health and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for a Quality Improvement Study Tour on August 17, 2023. Unity was selected by HRSA to represent the crucial role that community health centers play in advancing health equity, ensuring accessibility, and delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to communities disproportionately impacted by insufficient resources and a legacy of unjust policies. This visit underscored the importance of international healthcare collaboration and the sharing of innovative approaches to high-quality healthcare delivery.

The Philippines Department of Health and HRSA delegates were greeted with warm hospitality as they embarked on a comprehensive tour of Unity Health Care's Upper Cardozo Health Center in Washington, DC The primary focus of this visit was to observe and learn from Unity's remarkable initiatives in quality improvement, with a particular emphasis on the utilization of visual aids to track progress and promote team accountability.

Unity has long been recognized for its commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services to under-resourced populations in the nation's capital. This commitment extends beyond merely treating patients; it encompasses a deep dedication to continuous quality improvement and innovative methodologies. One of the standout features that captured the attention of the visiting delegates was the use of visually engaging tools, as seen below. These tools not only serve as indicators of quality improvement but also foster a culture of accountability and teamwork among healthcare professionals.

Unity's visual aides include prominently displayed charts, graphs, and scorecards that provide real-time data on various quality metrics such as hypertension control, screening and follow-ups for depression, cancer screening, and child immunizations. These visual representations are strategically placed in common areas, ensuring that staff members are constantly reminded of their role in the organization's overarching goal: to deliver compassionate, comprehensive, high-quality health care and advance health equity.

The tour also included a brief overview of our provider-led workgroups, spanning a spectrum of vital areas from Anti-Racism and Behavioral Health to Maternal and Child Health, which operate with a strong focus on improving health outcomes and health equity in tangible ways. These workgroups consider the complex interplay of social determinants faced by our patients, ensuring that quality improvement is not just a goal but a pathway to addressing the health disparities they face daily. Through these workgroups, Unity continues to create innovative techniques to address health issues that disproportionately impact our patient population.

As the study tour concluded, Unity and the Philippines Department of Health committed to continued collaboration. The delegates left with a wealth of knowledge and innovative ideas to enrich healthcare services in the Philippines, while Unity Health Care felt inspired to continue our pursuit of excellence in providing high-quality care to the communities we proudly serve.

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