Medical services are the sheet anchor of most general hospitals. They are so closely related to all other departments that sharp lines cannot be drawn to delineate specific responsibilities.
Policies and procedures should not only be available in writing but updated periodically. Consultations should be readily available and the organisational relationships with related specialties should be clearly understood.
Therapeutic procedures must be only on written prescription of clinicians, consultants, and the audit committee must have clear and well-established criteria of professional care.
2. Surgical Services:
Surgical services are the most spectacularly visible function of the hospital. In a general hospital, all branches of the surgical services diagnostic, therapeutic and operation theatres are combined as one department.
Again, the policies and procedures should be available in writing. A “credentials committee” the equivalent of medical audit committee of medical services, must have clear criteria regarding surgical procedures to guide it.
