Do corporate governance mechanisms and internal control systems matter in reducing mortality rates?

Int J Health Plann Manage. 2019 Apr;34(2):744-760. doi: 10.1002/hpm.2732. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Abstract

Internal controls are critical to guarding an institution against fraud, error, and devastation. They are effective tools for preventing losses and achieving organizational goals. However, internal control mechanisms need to be relevant, because the organization cannot comprehend the effectiveness of the system if they are out-of-touch with the operation. Health care control practices are not exceptionally different from what pertains in other industries. The health care organizations require effective corporate governance mechanisms to uphold their operations and performances. These practices assist health care organizations to exhume cynical practices that generate unproductive results and also factors militating against the hospital's goals or objectives. This study revealed that practices such as enhanced Board diligence, Health Professionals on board, financial prudence, and effective communication have the tendency of reducing mortality, if well executed.

Keywords: board; corporate governance; hospitals; internal control; mortality reduction.

MeSH terms

  • Child Mortality
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clinical Audit / organization & administration
  • Clinical Governance / organization & administration
  • Cost Control / organization & administration
  • Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Ghana / epidemiology
  • Governing Board / organization & administration
  • Health Literacy
  • Hospital Administration
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Mortality
  • Maternal Mortality
  • Models, Statistical
  • Mortality*
  • Organizational Objectives