1ST DHCC BEST PRACTICE CONFERENCE PRESENTS AN INDUSTRY TOOLKIT OF REGIONAL PATIENT SAFETY SOLUTIONS

Sunday, Nov 18, 2018

Leading UAE healthcare organizations presented regionally-relevant best practice models towards advancing a culture of safety, reducing hospital-acquired infections, improving medication management, and enhancing a positive environment of care among other solutions in patient safety, at the first Dubai Healthcare City Best Practice Conference on Sunday, November 18, 2018.

Under the patronage of the Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the conference was held in partnership with the global Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF). It provided a platform for healthcare organizations in the UAE to share evidence-based practices, and work hand in hand to achieve PSMF’s mission of zero preventable deaths by 2020. The conference was PSMF’s first public event in the Middle East. 

Several healthcare practices and approaches from Western countries may not work effectively in the Middle East. Further, there is the growing challenge of patient safety to prevent harm to patients during treatment and care.

Figures from the World Health Organization indicate the burden and impact of unsafe healthcare. In magnitude, as many as 1 in 10 patients around the world are harmed while receiving care. In incidence, the number is approximately 43 million each year, and medication errors alone cost an estimated 42 billion USD annually.

In response to these challenges, DHCC’s conference provided a regional platform to start a dialogue in patient safety best practices along with a toolkit of proven experiences for the wider healthcare community to implement in their own clinical environments.

In the presence of HE Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing Sector, UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention; Omar Oumeish, Executive Director, DHCA; Dr. Ramadan AlBlooshi, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory (DHCR); Dr Amer Ahmad Sharif, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City – Education and Vice-Chancellor, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Dr Amer Al Zarooni, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City Medical; Dr. Michael Ramsay, Board Member, PSFM; and other officials, the conference presented 12 best practices across three categories.

“These categories, mainly Infection Control and Medication Management; Advancing a Culture of Safety; and Enhancing a Positive Environment of Care, are leading patient safety challenging areas facing hospitals today,” said Dr. AlBlooshi.   

The best practice presentations under the aforementioned categories included approaches to better medication management; programs to tackle antibiotic resistance; checklists for outpatient clinics; preventing injuries in intensive care units; and patient registries.

He explained that exchanging information and experiences on safety issues can help healthcare facilities develop and implement concrete, effective tools. Dr. AlBlooshi added, “There is a clear need to have a collective approach to add value to our individual efforts. These presentations will serve as a valuable toolkit for any healthcare provider in the Middle East.”

The presenters included partners from the Dubai Healthcare City free zone, namely Autism Rocks Support Center; Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital; Emirates Integra Medical and Surgery Center; Magrabi Eye Hospital; Mediclinic City Hospital; and Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai; and external organizations Al Zahra Hospital, Emirates Pathology Society, and Department of Health, Abu Dhabi.   

Speaking about bringing the Patient Safety Movement to the Middle East and hosting a patient safety conference in partnership with Dubai Healthcare City, Joe Kiani, Founder of the Foundation, said, “Gathering together and sharing best practices is the first and most important step in improving patient safety. We are thrilled by the efforts of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, our first partner in the Middle East. They are setting an example to the world that improved patient safety is possible.” 

In February this year, the Patient Safety Movement Foundation announced that more than 81,500 lives have been saved because of commitments made by over 4,500 hospitals across 44 countries.

All best practice presentations from the conference with information on presenters is available at this link; presentations were evaluated by a council comprising members from UAE health authorities and international accrediting bodies.

Caption: The first Dubai Healthcare City Best Practice Conference in partnership with the global Patient Safety Movement Foundation concluded on Sunday, November 18, 2018; the conference brought together stakeholders from the UAE health industry, officials and more than 100 healthcare professionals.