12/14/2016
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 14, 2016 – Macare Women’s Hospital in Quanzhou, China, has signed an agreement with UPMC International to provide a wide range of advisory services, including physician and nurse training, and assessment of clinical service lines, for this newly built 52-bed hospital specializing in women’s health. The partnership is UPMC’s fourth in China and part of its rapidly expanding global operation improving the quality and effectiveness of health care around the world.
“We are excited to work with Macare Women’s Hospital, which shares UPMC International’s belief that patients need and deserve excellent health care close to home,” said Bruno Gridelli, M.D., executive vice president of UPMC International. “Our common objective is to provide patients of Macare with the most advanced obstetrics, gynecology and neonatal care available today.”
Added Shiyang Li, M.D., president and chief executive officer of the private Macare Women’s Hospital, “This collaboration is a key part of our commitment to achieving world-class levels of quality, safety and patient satisfaction in our state-of-the-art facility. Given UPMC’s world-renowned women’s hospital and health programs—and its long track record of raising health care standards in more than a dozen countries—UPMC is a natural partner for us.”
The initial agreement includes training in Pittsburgh for Macare physicians, nurses and administrators, followed by an in-depth, onsite assessment of the hospital’s operations by UPMC’s clinical and operational experts. Their review is expected to include the physical hospital structure and layout, clinical service lines and program development, talent acquisition, infection prevention and control, information systems, and laboratory operations. Upon completion of the assessment by the end of 2018, the parties expect to begin negotiations for a long-term collaborative relationship focused on implementing recommendations.
Macare Women’s Hospital will provide obstetrics, gynecology and neonatal services to women and newborns in Quanzhou, the economic center of Fujian Province. The hospital is equipped with advanced medical technology inside an elegant and comfortable environment. The 13-floor facility, opening in January 2017, is expected to help meet growing demand for maternal and newborn services resulting from the recent termination of China’s “one child” policy.
Macare’s relationship with UPMC developed after two of its physicians attended the first training class in July at UPMC’s International Training Center of Excellence, based at UPMC East in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. “That experience exposed our team to the excellence of both UPMC’s international leadership and the advanced models of care being practiced at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC,” noted Dr. Li.
UPMC’s other agreements in China include a partnership with First Chengmei Medical Industry Group to develop health care services on Hainan Island; provision of second-opinion telepathology services for KingMed Diagnostics in Guangzhou; and support for the operation of the Xiangya International Medical Center in Changsha.
Through UPMC International, UPMC shares its clinical, technological and managerial knowledge and expertise with partners around the world, customizing solutions to benefit patients and regions. The goal is to transform the delivery of health care while supporting UPMC’s patient care and research mission.