The Ministry of Health and Community Protection revealed that it has taken four measures to reduce medical errors, as well as implementing an initiative aimed at ensuring continuity of work in hospitals and health centers, during emergencies and crises.

Dr. Yousef Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Hospitals Sector at the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, explained that the Ministry has taken four measures, namely: «regulations to prevent medical errors, promote the culture of safety of the culture of patients, holding conferences, seminars and training programs, in addition to the sharing of positive practices among hospitals to learn Mutual ».

“The Ministry of Health is working with all government and private institutions in the country to develop strategies to ensure patient safety and adopt international standards,” Al Serkal said in a press statement on the sidelines of the 5th Regional Conference on Best Practices in the Application of International Standards of Clinical Quality and Patient Safety. To accredit hospitals internationally, and support the World Health Organization ».

He revealed that the number of hospitals and centers affiliated to the Ministry, which has been internationally accredited, reached 52 institutions, including 11 hospitals and 34 health centers, six specialized dental centers, and one center for blood transfusion, which represents about 55% of the total health authorities affiliated to the ministry.

Al Serkal confirmed that the Ministry will receive international accreditation for Saqr Hospital in December, and next year will be accredited three more hospitals, and 30 primary health care centers, raising the proportion of the Ministry's internationally accredited institutions to 80% of the total, and in 2021 will become all the institutions of the ministry 100% certified.

He explained that the most important strategies, is to support the culture of patient safety, by encouraging staff and doctors to talk to higher levels in the case of any errors that threaten the safety of patients, without fear of any other actions that affect their situation, for example, the dose of medicine prescribed by the doctor to the patient, if Inadequate or harmful to the patient, the system gives a warning to the pharmacist, and the doctor is checked before dispensing the drug.

For her part, the head of risk management and patient safety in the quality management of the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, Yomna Mohammed Al-Ketbi, that the Ministry is currently working on the implementation of the initiative called «Business Continuity», in order to ensure the continuity of work in hospitals and health centers, within a specific efficiency during the cases Emergency and crisis implementation of the State's directives in this regard.

“A team has been formed to implement the initiative on the ground, to prepare qualified medical cadres, and to train them on courses on how to ensure business continuity, and then train staff in health facilities, on the mechanism of assessment and impact measurement to determine priorities during any crisis or emergency. “The medical team will choose the nature and type of medical service that it should provide.”

Al-Ketbi added: “The initiative enables hospitals to increase their preparedness and preparedness during crises and disasters by preparing lists of all potential risks and preparing for them.” The ministry has subjected about 200 medical staff to training programs on the initiative.

250 decision makers

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection organized yesterday the 5th Regional Conference on Best Practices in the Application of International Standards of Clinical Quality and Patient Safety, with the participation of more than 250 decision makers, specialists, professionals, experts and speakers in the field of international accreditation, health quality and patient safety, and other health team members such as pharmacists and technicians. , From inside and outside the state.

The conference is part of the ministry's efforts to enhance the exchange of experiences and success stories among participating hospitals, as well as to improve the quality of health services, reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety.