New healthcare institute formed to develop clinical guidelines

IMACE will facilitate data and case collection for detailed clinical practice reviews.

A new healthcare body has been formed to support the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines and explore standards for service quality and efficiency across public and private services in Hong Kong.

According to the Health Bureau, the Institute for Medical Advancement & Clinical Excellence (IMACE) will facilitate data and case collection across sectors to support detailed reviews of clinical practices and assess the effectiveness of medical treatments.

IMACE will also devise and issue clinical guidelines and standards for service quality and efficiency following deliberation.

The clinical guidelines and standards can serve as public education tools to facilitate understanding of the healthcare services needed in the event of different illnesses.

In addition, the institute may also advise the government on policy initiatives to drive clinical excellence and improve practice quality.

"I hope the IMACE can promote exchanges amongst healthcare professionals and maintain connections with institutions responsible for developing evidence-based medicine and clinical guidelines worldwide,” Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said.

The institute brings together seven founding members: the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Department of Health, Hospital Authority, Primary Healthcare Commission, Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, and the Private Hospitals Association.