Standardizing Level of Hemophilia Care Through Benchmarking

Abstract

Abstract: In developing countries there is a large discrepancy in hemophilia care. Some have zero treatment level, while others already have comprehensive care centers. The author attempts to assess and standardize the level of hemophilia care in developing countries by setting up benchmarks or guidelines for future develooment. Hemophilia care is set up in 6 levels covering 4 major areas namely, clinical care and treatment, laboratory aspect, blood transfusion support, and patient-parent organization. For each institute, each area may not be at the same level. This depends on available resources, existing facities and other factors. The benefts of standardizing level of hemophilia care are as follows: (1) universal language for every country. (2 for each country to assess and establish benchmark and plan for improvement towards the goal (3) for health authorities, WFH and to
prioritize their support, (4) for national healthorities to specify the capacity of different level of centers for hemophilia care, to be used as the benchmark in the development of hemophilia care. The development of hemophilia care in Thailand is described to be used as a reference for medical history and a model for other countries.