Visionary leadership drives partnership focused on raising standard of excellence for leading Turkish health care provider

Mehmet Ali Aydinlar, chairman of the board, Acibadem Health Group, and HMI president and CEO Dr. Robert K. Crone formalized the partnership on October 3rd in Istanbul.

Istanbul, the ancient gateway and modern bridge between East and West, is the setting for a new collaboration aimed at driving the continued progress of one of Turkey’s model health care organizations. A center of excellence for oncology and neurosciences, and the development of education programs to address nursing and clinical practice needs, are among the objectives of an alliance established in October 2003 between HMI and Acibadem Health Group.

Consisting of two hospitals, three outpatient clinics, and several clinical laboratories, Acibadem Health Group is the most advanced health care organization in Turkey, according to the HMI team that participated in initial discussions between the partners in Istanbul. Its founding in 1991 was part of a movement begun in the mid 1980s to privatize parts of Turkey’s health care system, which until then was government-sponsored and run.

Today, nearly 10 percent of Turkish citizens obtain some services from private institutions, although both private and public facilities are racing to catch up with modern technology, education, and standards. Health care trends show a nation on the upswing, but infant mortality remains high, and life expectancy is low compared to more developed countries. Many physicians train outside the country, and education programs, especially for nurses, are not developed enough to meet the demand.

Acibadem Health Group has already made great strides in addressing major Turkish health care challenges, according to Dr. Harvey Makadon, HMI director of health systems. “This is a visionary group, working at an extremely high level. They have enlisted our help to develop and enhance certain areas of strength,” he said.

Mehmet Ali Aydinlar, chairman of Acibadem Health Group, said, “HMI is a global working network with experience all over the world with different cultures. With Harvard Medical International, we have the opportunity to reach the highest level of education for our physicians and nurses and ensure that the care we provide is of the highest quality. ”

Representatives from HMI and Acibadem Health Group in front of Acibadem Hospital.

Meeting international standards
One of Acibadem’s main objectives is to meet international standards and attain accreditation from the world health care community. Elizabeth Brown, RN, HMI director of clinical services, said, “Acibadem knows it is providing quality care, but wants to be able to demonstrate it. We can work with Acibadem to benchmark their current quality standards and review processes against other world-class systems.”

Acibadem is putting the finishing touches on the facility which will house a 70-bed oncology and neurosciences center of excellence, due to open in early 2004. “HMI will be working with Dr. Metin Cakmakci, medical director of Acibadem, and the health care professional leadership to develop clinical programs which not only adopt patient-centered care principles, but also incorporate appropriate professional development for the staff involved. We are also helping Acibadem obtain access to cutting-edge technology and research,” said Makadon, who added that Acibadem chose oncology and neurosciences because they felt the need was great for a center that focused on the multiple needs of cancer and neurology patients.

Community and referring physician education will be essential to the success of this and other projects undertaken by the partners. Educational programs that impart the latest knowledge across the continuum of cancer and neurological care—prevention, screening, treatment, and patient support—will be woven into the design of the new center, which will serve as a model for a network of specialty programs in Turkey.

HMI’s Elizabeth Brown, RN (center) discussed professional development with nurses at Acibadem Hospital.

Nursing as a key to quality
Nursing education and professional development will be a major focus of the partnership. The nursing profession in Turkey, as in most other countries, is in transition. High turnover rates and shortages are jeopardizing patient care and motivating incentive plans to stem the tide. “What is distinctive about Acibadem,” said Brown, “is its recognition of nursing as integral to patient care quality. The leadership believes that lifelong learning and a sense of being valued are the keys to keeping and developing their nurses and is ready to devote the necessary resources for this work. Acibadem and HMI will collaborate in programs that strengthen leadership, further clinical competence, and promote career advancement—all in the spirit of creating an environment for excellent nursing care.”

Makadon emphasizes that education pervades all aspects of the partnership’s plans. “The Acibadem Group understands that lasting quality of care depends on the constant infusion of new medical, social, and scientific knowledge,” he said. “Together we hope to address this issue. Our more immediate objective is to open a research building, but launching a medical school is the ultimate goal.”

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