Mediclinic is leading the way in publishing both clinical and client experience outcomes. In April 2017, Mediclinic became the first hospital group in Southern Africa to publicly share patient experience results. Since then, we have expanded our reporting to include key clinical performance indicators, reflecting our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability.
By making this information publicly available, we aim to empower patients with meaningful insights that support informed healthcare decisions.
CLINICAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
“Mediclinic has developed a strong focus on clinical performance to ensure efficient, effective and safe patient care of the highest standard.” - Dr Ronnie van der Merwe, Group CEO
We are committed to improving the quality of life of every patient in our care. To maintain and continuously improve our standards, we measure key aspects of care delivery across all our hospitals. We report on a range of internationally recognised clinical quality measures and publish a subset of these indicators here in the spirit of openness and continuous improvement.
These results support better care in our facilities and enable patients to make informed choices about their healthcare.
WHAT ARE CLINICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS?
Clinical performance reflects the quality of our care processes and outcomes. Our clinical performance model is built on four pillars:
- Patient safety
- Clinical effectiveness
- Cost efficiency
- Value-based care
These are supported by strong clinical governance structures.
Different indicators are used to assess each area. Under patient safety, we report on falls, pressure ulcers, antimicrobial stewardship, medication errors and near misses. Clinical effectiveness is reflected in the Extended/Prolonged Length of Stay Index.
WHY DO WE MEASURE CLINICAL PERFORMANCE?
Healthcare is complex and involves multiple interrelated components. To understand quality, we assess structures, processes and outcomes across the patient journey.
Measurement is the first step towards improvement. By monitoring defined indicators, we ensure consistent quality of care and identify opportunities for enhancement. Our approach supports both accountability and continuous quality improvement.
WHERE DO THE RESULTS COME FROM?
Our clinical performance data are drawn from multiple validated sources, including:
- Clinical databases
- Patient safety event management systems
- Infection prevention and control surveillance systems
- Administrative systems
Our methodologies and definitions align with internationally recognised institutions, including:
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Health Service (NHS)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Standardised definitions are essential to enable meaningful comparisons. For example, if organisations define a “fall” differently, results cannot be reliably compared.
Some indicators are self-reported. Encouraging accurate reporting is fundamental to our patient safety culture.
HOW ARE RESULTS REPORTED?
Quality indicators may be reported as:
- Rates
- Ratios
- Index scores
- Counts
- Confirmation of service availability
Most patient safety indicators are reported as a rate per 1,000 patient days. A patient day represents one patient occupying a hospital bed for 24 hours.
Results are updated quarterly and reflect performance over the preceding 12-month period.
Where national or international benchmarks are unavailable, we benchmark internally across our hospitals.
OUR PATIENT SAFETY FOCUS
Providing safe care is a Mediclinic priority. Patient safety is defined as the prevention and mitigation of harm caused by healthcare-related errors, supported by systems and processes that reduce risk and intercept errors before they reach patients.
A strong patient safety culture depends on collaboration, transparency and learning from both errors and near misses. By openly reporting and analysing events, we drive improvement and strengthen care delivery across our hospitals.
INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL (IPC) – HOW WE KEEP YOU SAFE
Our Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Managers are specially trained professionals who work across departments to mitigate infection risks. They:
- Follow national and international guidelines
- Monitor infection trends
- Investigate potential risks
- Lead improvement initiatives
We use advanced electronic surveillance systems to detect potential infection risks early, enabling timely intervention to protect patients and staff.
Clean Hands, Safe Care
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection. During patient care, there are critical moments when cleaning hands prevents the transfer of micro-organisms between patients and the healthcare environment.
Our trained teams regularly observe and support staff to maintain the highest hand hygiene standards - because every clean pair of hands helps keep you safe.
Trained to Protect
All staff undergo regular infection prevention training. Each unit appoints an IPC Link Nurse who leads and monitors infection prevention practices within the department, strengthening a culture of vigilance and prevention.
Clean Environments, Safe Care
Dedicated environmental services teams follow strict healthcare cleaning and disinfection protocols. Approved products and continuous monitoring ensure that all clinical areas meet rigorous safety standards.
Precision in Every Procedure
From surgical instruments to everyday medical equipment, all items are carefully selected by specialists or thoroughly decontaminated by trained personnel to ensure they are safe and ready for use.
WHAT DO THE RESULTS MEAN FOR YOU?
Our published clinical performance results:
- Provide insight into the quality and safety of care at each facility
- Strengthen accountability
- Drive ongoing improvement
No single indicator should be viewed in isolation. Clinical performance data form part of a broader picture of quality assessment and continuous improvement.
For detailed explanations of specific measures, please refer to the “What We Measure” section under each indicator.
PATIENT SAFETY INDICATORS
Medication Error Rates
*Reported per 1,000 patient days
A medication error is any preventable event that may lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is under the control of a healthcare professional, patient or consumer. Errors may occur during prescribing, dispensing, administration, monitoring or documentation. This measure also includes medication that was ordered but not administered.
What we measure
Medication-related events reported through our hospital event reporting systems.
What a result of 1.0 means
If a patient stayed in hospital for 1,000 days, one medication error would occur during that period.
The rate is calculated by dividing the total number of medication errors by total patient days and multiplying by 1,000.
FALL RATES
*Reported per 1,000 patient days
A fall is defined by AHRQ as a sudden, unintended descent of a patient’s body to the ground or another surface. All falls are included, regardless of injury.
Results are not risk-adjusted for patient age, illness severity or mobility.
What a result of 0.8 means
If a patient stayed in hospital for 1,000 days, fewer than one fall (0.8) would occur during that period.
PRESSURE ULCER RATES
*Reported as a rate per 1000 patient days
Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure injuries or bedsores) are localised damage to the skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence or related to a medical device. All stages are included in this measure.
What a result of 1.0 means
If a patient stayed in hospital for 1,000 days, one pressure ulcer would occur during that period.
NEAR MISS RATES
*Reported as a rate per 1000 patient days
Reported per 1,000 patient days
Near misses are events that could have caused harm but were intercepted before reaching the patient.
Example
If blood prepared for transfusion is identified as incorrectly labelled before administration, harm is prevented - this is recorded as a near miss.
What a result of 1.2 means
If a patient stayed in hospital for 1,000 days, approximately 1.2 near misses would be identified and prevented.
Higher reporting of near misses may reflect a strong safety culture where potential risks are actively identified and addressed.
ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP
Reported as Antimicrobial use (DDD rate per 100 patient days)
Antimicrobials are medicines that fight infections, such as antibiotics for bacteria, antifungals for fungi, and antivirals for viruses. When overused or misused, the germs can learn to fight back and become resistant. This is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
To address this, Mediclinic runs an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programme to reduce unnecessary prescribing and promote responsible use – protecting both current and future patients.
What a DDD rate of 73 per 100 PD means
Antimicrobial use is tracked via Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 100 patient-days—a WHO standard metric. It measures usage over time, monitors stewardship impact, and shows antimicrobials per patient day (lower is better). We need to use less to cut AMR.
At Mediclinic, transparency, accountability and continuous improvement are central to delivering safe, high-quality care.