Tribune News Network
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) inaugurated the scientific conference for the 10th Qatar Patient Safety Week, focusing on the theme ‘Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety’. The three-day event brings together 72 local and international experts, specialists, and patient representatives, aiming to enhance patient safety measures in health care.
The conference is being held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person attendance and virtual participation. It is sponsored by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), the Military Medical City Hospital (MMCH), and The View Hospital.
The conference includes seven panel discussions that address various topics and concepts related to patient safety, along with ten lectures in which local and international healthcare institutions will present their successful experiences in improving the quality and safety of services provided.
In her opening address, Huda Amer Al Khtheeri, director of strategic planning, performance, and innovation at the MoPH, said, “As we mark the 10th anniversary of Qatar Patient Safety Week, we reflect on a decade of commitment to advancing healthcare quality and safety. Together, we’ve made incredible improvements in patient safety. However, with the fast-paced advancements in healthcare, come new challenges to the safety of our services, our patients and our staff. For which, we need to keep the momentum going and proactively ensure that quality and safety are always integral to all that we do to deliver the best patient outcomes.”
During the conference, an artistic sand drawing performance was presented by artist Shaima Al Muhairi, depicting the ten-year journey of Qatar Patient Safety Week since its inception in 2014.
Mariam Abdul Malik, managing director of the PHCC, emphasised the significance of Qatar Patient Safety Week’s activities, which highlight the need for continuous efforts to improve patient safety. She shared these remarks during a panel discussion on the latest developments in patient safety, alongside a group of esteemed local and international speakers.
Dr Mariam Abdul Malik added, “We believe collaborative efforts are essential in fostering a stronger, more responsive healthcare system in Qatar.”
In the keynote address at the conference, Dr Hardeep Singh, professor of medicine at the Centre for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA, spoke on ‘Reducing the Global Burden of Diagnostic Errors in Healthcare Through Science, Policy and Practice’. He stated, “This year’s theme of ‘Improving diagnosis for patient safety’ and focusing on getting the diagnosis right and making it safe highlights the critical importance of correct and timely diagnosis in improving patient safety and health outcomes.”
Speaking on the topic of ‘Enhancing Patient Safety Through Diagnostic Stewardship: Best Practices and Innovations’, Prof Souha Kanj, the head of the Division of Infectious Diseases and chair of the Infection Control Programme at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, said, “Diagnostic stewardship is an integral part of antimicrobial stewardship. With the range of diagnostic tools available in the market, healthcare workers need to decide on the right test for the right patient at the right time to have a positive impact on patients’ safety, avoiding over and underuse of diagnostic tools.”
Michael Giuliano, president of Planetree International, highlighted the critical connections between person-centred care, patient experience, safety, and quality, which he described as key to the future of health care. He stressed that person-centred care is essential not only for improving diagnostic accuracy but also for enhancing the overall quality and safety of care for patients, their families, staff, and the broader community.
The conference also covered several important topics related to raising awareness and emphasising the importance of correct, timely, and safe diagnoses as well as their pivotal role in improving patient safety. It highlighted the prioritisation of diagnostic safety in patient safety policies and practices at all levels of health care, which are in line with national and global patient safety action plans. Experts presented research papers and delivered presentations on the latest developments and best practices for accurate and safe diagnostics, which contribute to enhancing patient safety. Additionally, the conference explored ways to strengthen cooperation between policymakers, healthcare leaders, professionals, and all relevant
stakeholders.
More than 20 organisations will light up their buildings in orange to show solidarity and commitment to improving patient safety. It is worth noting that Qatar Patient Safety Week is a national annual event organised by the MoPH since 2014, with the aim of promoting the concept of patient safety among healthcare workers across various categories, as well as healthcare recipients. This event encourages sustainable collaboration between the MoPH, healthcare providers, the community, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure safer healthcare in Qatar.
