In today’s ever-evolving mental health landscape, the demand for data-informed, patient-centered care has never been greater. At Chiromo Hospital Group in Kenya, we have taken substantial strides to redefine psychiatric service delivery. Over the past year, our efforts have focused on developing an integrated, multidisciplinary strategic quality management follow up program approach that combines clinical expertise, innovative technology, and strong leadership, all anchored in evidence-based practices.
From Vision to Execution: A Strategic Shift
Our journey began with a series of robust, collaborative brainstorming sessions aimed at redefining our purpose as a mental healthcare institution. These sessions—held with leadership, clinical teams, and quality experts—sought to align our organizational goals with the evolving needs of our clients and the value we bring to the community.
Out of this introspection emerged a structured approach built around the Structured Quality Management Follow Up (SQM-FP). This framework now anchors how we engage with clients, monitor outcomes, and continuously enhance service delivery.
Strength in Numbers: Anchoring Care on Data and Follow-up
Central to our success has been a culture of measurement and continuous review. Monthly and quarterly clinical meetings allow us to track, evaluate, and refine our key performance indicators. These include:
- Total Admissions: Over 3,100 admissions were recorded in a span of a year.
- Outpatient Footfall: Averaging over 200 clients daily.
- SQMFP Data Base: Over 10,000 patients on active follow up program.
- Psychiatrist and Psychologist Utilization: CP (Corporate Psychiatrists) engagement averaged 40%, while external psychiatrists and psychologists contributed 20% each. Other roles contributed 10%.
- Re-admission Rate: Our consolidated rate stood at 12%, allowing targeted interventions in treatment planning.
- Length of Stay (LOS): We observed a trend reduction from 10.2 days to 9.2 to an average LOS of 6.2 days— a vital marker of improved efficiency and care quality.
- Drug Refill Rates: Achieved adherence metrics, with 70–78% refill compliance among private and non-government clients.
Multidisciplinary Care in Action
Our SQM-FP model emphasizes the role of corporate psychiatrists, Chaired and mentored by Prof Njenga, within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) structure, facilitating shared decision-making. This was especially vital in our flagship OP (Outpatient) center in Westlands, Nairobi. Here, follow-up care, medication management, and psychological support operate as an integrated unit, ensuring continuity and personalization of treatment.
Special Clinics and Advanced Pharmacology
We have introduced special clinics that focus on nuanced pharmacological interventions. For example, Invega sustenna and Trevicta injection clinics have been launched to support patients on long-acting injectables, enhancing compliance and stabilizing long-term care.
Digital Transformation and Global Positioning
We recognize that the future of psychiatric care lies in digitization. To that end, we have invested in digital infrastructure and exploring virtual outreach models. The establishment of online support groups is a priority, particularly to ensure continuity of care for patients post-discharge and those outside the region.
Moreover, our strategy includes positioning Chiromo Hospital Group as a globally recognized mental health institution. With the CEO’s vision for global online positioning, we are actively engaging in digital branding, telepsychiatry, and harnessing social media as a therapeutic and outreach tool.
The Road Ahead
Our way forward is framed around three key pillars:
- Integration of Corporate Psychiatrists in MDTs – to sustain high-quality, team-based care.
- Digitization as a New Frontier – leveraging technology to expand access, streamline processes, and reduce barriers to treatment.
- Global Online Positioning – strengthening our presence as a leading mental health institution in Africa and beyond with international standards of evidence-based psychiatric excellence.
Conclusion
The transformation we have achieved at Chiromo Hospital Group is not merely operational—it is philosophical. We have shifted from a transactional model of care to one that is transformational, data-driven, and deeply human. By anchoring our strategy in evidence, embracing digital innovation, and staying committed to multidisciplinary collaboration, we are redefining psychiatric care in Africa and beyond—one patient, one metric, and one innovation at a time through the strategic quality management follow up program.
