A survey of clinical governance success in Khozestan province

Clinical Governance (CG) is a strategy for providing responsive, accountable, patientcentered, high quality, safe and effective healthcare services through creating an appropriate organizational structure and culture. Development, implementation and monitoring clinical standards are also included in CG. This study aimed to assess the success of clinical governance implementation in hospitals in Khuzestan province, Iran.

This descriptive questionnaire survey was conducted in 2014 in 40 hospitals using a valid and reliable questionnaire covering seven dimensions of CG (i.e., management and leadership, employees’ education and management, clinical effectiveness, clinical audit, risk management, patient involvement, and information management). All clinical governance officers of hospitals were asked to complete the questionnaires. Overall, 40 questionnaires were returned. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Ethical issues such as informed consent, voluntary participation, participants’ anonymity, information confidentiality and researchers’ objectivity in data collection, analysis and reporting were all considered.

The mean score of CG implementation success was 65.6 percent in Khuzestan province hospitals. About half of the hospitals were moderately successful in CG implementation. Hospitals achieved more success in employees’ education and management and less success in clinical effectiveness dimensions of clinical governance. Top managers’ and employees’ commitment and involvement in CG activities was critical for CG successful implementation.

Clinical governance was slightly successful in Khuzestan hospitals. However, strong management and leadership, managers’, employees’ and physicians’ participation, education and training, patient centeredness, evidence based practice, and clinical audits are necessary for successful implementation of CG in hospitals.