The Role of New Health Regulations in Promoting Patient Safety and Health Equity: Predicting the Future of Hospital Support Services in the Age of Privatization-Systematic Review Based Highlights

Abstract

Background: Privatizing healthcare systems has brought about many problems to keep patients safe, to provide equity, and to be operationally efficient. Issues related to these issues have significant regulatory frameworks that contribute to safety culture, facilitate equitable access to care and maximizing hospital support services. These objectives, however, are dependent upon the complex interplay of commercial priorities, resource allocation and evolving healthcare needs, and as such require a more systematic exploration of their role with new health regulations.

Aim: This systematic review assesses patient safety and health equity in relation to new health regulations, with a specialization in hospital support services in privatized health care systems.

Method: The review was based on ten high quality studies published between 2020 and 2024 and followed PRISMA guidelines. An advanced search syntax was used to search PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to achieve a comprehensive literature search. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected as they are important to health regulations, safety, and equity. Thematic data synthesis identified key trends and insights.

Results: Interestingly, regulations have a dramatic impact on patient safety by improving a robust safety culture and decreasing errors. Targeted policies to address resource disparities result in an improvement of health equity. Regulatory compliance directly relates to operational efficiency in hospital support services (e.g. logistics and facility management). Successful regulatory implementation was found to depend on leadership, training, and accreditation.

Conclusion: The new health regulations have a transformative role to play in driving patient safety and equity in the privatized healthcare systems. These regulations address problems of operational inefficiencies and promote equitable access of support services with broader healthcare's objectives. Additional future research work includes exposure to these new technologies and patient engagement to improve regulatory outcomes.