(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday 17th January, 2018): Employees at Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital are being pitted against each other in an incentive-based competition for a prize pool of US$3,000 to spotlight the most exemplary quality improvement initiative introduced over recent years.

‘The Diamond Challenge’ was announced this week as the health care organisation prepares for another accreditation assessment in June 2018. Accreditation is an independent assessment of a health care organization’s performance against internationally recognized standards of best practice.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital has been accredited at the Diamond level since March 2012, which is the highest level achievable under the ACI Qmentum International Accreditation Program. A full-site survey is carried out every three years by independent overseas assessors to retain accreditation status.

The Diamond Challenge will span five months and conclude between May 28th-1st June 2018. Cash prizes of US$1,000 will be issued to winners in three categories: Best Quality Improvement Initiative for building a Culture of Safety and Best Quality Improvement Initiative towards Safe Medication Practices. Winner(s) of the Best Overall Quality Improvement Initiative will receive a trophy and cash prize.

Hospital employees may enter individually or as a team of no more than five persons. However, initiatives must show elements of the team dynamics. The quality improvement initiatives submitted must have been implemented between the years 2015 – 2018 and must show measurable impact or evidence of improvement in the practice environment. Submissions will be in poster format with strict guidelines, success factors, supporting literature/research and evidence coupled with a fast paced 3-5 minute in-person presentation before a diverse panel of judges.

The primary objective of the competition is to recognize health care professionals and encourage teams to evaluate and audit the output of their respective quality improvement initiatives in conjunction with the company’s strategic plan to continuously improve the delivery of health care services. The winners will be revealed on June 8th, 2018.

ENDS