The Interconsultation and Shared Assistance Unit of Toledo University Hospital Earns Accreditation for Excellence in Complex Surgical Patient Care
Toledo,January 31,2025 – The Interconsultation and Shared Assistance Unit of the Toledo University Hospital,part of the Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha,has been accredited through the Semi Excellent program of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. This recognition highlights the unit’s exceptional quality in providing healthcare to complex patients requiring surgical interventions.
The accreditation specifically evaluated the unit’s shared assistance model, which collaborates closely with the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Service at Toledo Hospital. This model ensures extensive care for patients under 75 with chronic pathologies,as well as those suffering from osteoarticular infections. Additionally, the unit coordinates medical care for other surgical specialties through interconsultations, ensuring patients are in optimal condition for surgery and receive thorough postoperative follow-up.
“The interconsultation system has been and is the most common organizational model through which the different care services support other services, contributing the knowledge and skills of your specialty,” explained the team of doctors, including María Jesús Moya saiz, Pilar López castañeyra, and Raquel Labra González.
In recent years,the shared assistance approach has emerged as a more patient-centric model,particularly for those with complex clinical needs. This method involves specialists from various fields jointly managing patient care, particularly in surgical cases. Continuous collaboration among professionals ensures consensual decisions on treatment and monitoring, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The SEMI accreditation assessed the unit’s portfolio of services, teaching and research activities, and the continuity of care provided, nonetheless of the service’s workload. The unit also implements specific protocols to enhance quality and safety, preventing clinical deterioration in patients.
UMAC: A Pillar of Excellence
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The Medical Unit of Shared Assistance and interconsultations (UMAC) at Toledo University Hospital has been operational since February 2014. Comprising three internal medicine specialists, the unit serves an average of 30 patients daily, with 30-40% of cases involving infectious pathologies such as articular prosthesis infections or osteomyelitis.
UMAC also plays a vital role in medical education, overseeing rotations for fourth and fifth-year internal medicine residents, as well as first-year residents in rehabilitation and rheumatology.
Key Highlights of UMAC’s Achievements
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Accreditation | Semi Excellent program by Spanish Society of Internal Medicine |
| Specialization | Complex surgical patients, osteoarticular infections, chronic pathologies |
| Daily Patients | 30 |
| Infectious cases | 30-40% |
| Educational Role | Trains internal medicine, rehabilitation, and rheumatology residents |
This accreditation underscores the unit’s commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research, solidifying its reputation as a leader in complex surgical patient management.
Excellence in complex Surgical Care: insights from Toledo University Hospital’s Accredited Interconsultation Unit
Toledo University Hospital’s Interconsultation and Shared Assistance Unit has recently earned accreditation through the Semi Excellent program of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. This recognition highlights the unit’s dedication to managing complex surgical patients, especially those with chronic pathologies or osteoarticular infections. Senior Editor of world-today-news.com, Sarah Collins, sat down with Dr. Elena Morales, a leading expert in internal medicine and shared care models, to discuss the unit’s achievements, its collaborative approach, and its impact on patient outcomes.
The Journey to Accreditation
Sarah Collins: Dr. Morales, congratulations on this well-deserved accreditation. Can you start by telling us what this recognition means for the Interconsultation and Shared Assistance Unit?
dr. Elena Morales: Thank you, Sarah. This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. It validates our commitment to providing high-quality care to complex surgical patients. The Semi Excellent program evaluates various aspects, including our shared assistance model, teaching initiatives, and research contributions. It’s a recognition of our integrated approach to patient care, where collaboration among specialists is key.
Sarah collins: The shared assistance model seems to be a cornerstone of your unit’s success. How does this model work in practice?
Dr. Elena Morales: The model is designed to ensure comprehensive care for patients with complex needs. We work closely with the Orthopedic Surgery and traumatology Service to manage patients undergoing surgical procedures, particularly those with chronic conditions or infections like osteomyelitis. Our team includes internal medicine specialists who collaborate with surgeons to optimize preoperative conditions and provide thorough postoperative follow-up. This joint effort ensures that patients receive tailored care at every stage.
Focus on Infectious cases
Sarah Collins: I understand that 30-40% of your cases involve infectious pathologies. How does your unit handle these challenging cases?
Dr.Elena Morales: Infectious cases, such as articular prosthesis infections, require a multidisciplinary approach. Our team implements specific protocols to manage these patients, focusing on early diagnosis, targeted antibiotic therapy, and surgical intervention when necessary. Continuous monitoring is crucial to prevent complications and ensure recovery. Our close collaboration with infectious disease specialists and surgeons allows us to deliver effective treatment plans.
Education and Training
sarah Collins: Your unit also plays a meaningful role in medical education. Can you elaborate on its educational contributions?
Dr. Elena Morales: Absolutely. The Medical Unit of Shared Assistance and Interconsultations (UMAC) oversees rotations for internal medicine residents, as well as those in rehabilitation and rheumatology. We believe that training the next generation of healthcare professionals is essential for maintaining high standards of care. our residents gain hands-on experience in managing complex cases, which prepares them for future challenges in their careers.
Looking Ahead
Sarah Collins: What’s next for the unit? are there any upcoming initiatives or goals?
Dr. Elena Morales: We’re always striving to improve. Our immediate goal is to enhance our protocols for managing complex surgical patients, particularly in reducing complications and improving recovery times. We’re also expanding our research efforts to develop new strategies for patient care. Additionally, we aim to strengthen our educational programs to ensure that our residents are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.
Conclusion
Sarah Collins: Thank you,Dr. Morales, for sharing these insights. It’s clear that the Interconsultation and Shared Assistance Unit is setting a high standard in complex surgical patient care. This accreditation is well-earned, and we look forward to seeing your continued success.
Dr. Elena Morales: Thank you, Sarah. It’s been a pleasure discussing our work. We’re committed to maintaining excellence in patient care, education, and research, and we’re excited about the future.
