Implementing standards in the intensive care unit at CHUK in Rwanda

Quality health and nursing care and the ongoing improvement of patient safety is one of the most urgent issues facing health care today, the poor quality of patient care is a major problem of many hospitals in Rwanda and CHUK/ ICU is not exception. ICU was in a self contained area with easy access to other departments the actual work environment did not comply with the recommendations of the JFICM (2003) minimum standards of ICU. After analysis of the structure and process standard based on JFICM (2003), quality of ICU patient care at CHUK needs to be improved with appropriate design, staffing and operational requirements, or have the necessary equipment. Due to the shortage of qualified staff, plus the unavailability of protocols or guidelines, the processes of quality patient care were inadequate and need to be improved.