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Table 5 Operating systems and services in Trinidad and Tobago

From: Health services in Trinidad: throughput, throughput challenges, and the impact of a throughput intervention on overcrowding in a public health institution

Domain

Variable

Actual

International Benchmark

Operating and Support System and Services

Resource availability and accessibility

Inadequate and sometimes not easily accessible

Universal accessibility and availability

Pharmacy supplies

Unable to obtain regular supply

Consistent supply made available

Medical record system

Computerized system and database but limited usability for research

Computerized system easily accessible

Waiting time: Services

Long delays both for inpatients (days to weeks) and outpatients (months in some cases)

Prompt; services done in a timely manner

Lab reports

Limited investigations and delays in obtaining results (days to weeks)

Universal and timely availability

Lab services

Inadequate and inconsistent services available

Reliable and adequate with nearly all the services available

Bereavement room/services

Lack of rooms and services available

Sufficient rooms and services available

Information services

Lack of reading material available

Adequate material/information readily available

Medical social work services

Limited services and resources available to patients. Long appointment times

Adequate services/acceptable resources

Block appointment system

Virtually non-existent at hospitals and clinics

Universal

Protocols/quality improvement system

Virtually absent in the system and not usable

Visibly present and usable

Audit and customer feedback

Very little feedback

Feedback ongoing on a continuous basis

Work process

26.3% (02) strongly dissatisfied (based on employee perception survey conducted in 2002)

Generally satisfied Continuously assessed

Investigative procedures

Lacking and unreliable

Reliable and timely

Shuttle service/transport

Minimal use of this service

Quite good

  1. Source: Generated by the author