Health: Quality and Patient Safety

​​Star of Excellence
The Qatar Early Warning System (QEWS)
The Qatar Early Warning System (QEWS) was created in response to the realization that HMC did not have a standardized, systematic approach for the early detection, recognition and response to managing deterioration in a patient’s condition. Development of QEWS began in 2014 and was implemented in the eight hospitals in stages across a seven-week period in November and December 2015. The primary goal was to reduce cardio-respiratory arrest rates outside of intensive care areas by 20% within two years across all HMC facilities. The project team designed and developed a suite of standardized observation charts for five distinct patient populations: adult, pediatric, neonatal inpatient, maternity and emergency.

​​Awards of Merit
Improving Hand Hygiene Compliance of Physicians
Hand hygiene is the simplest and most effective way of preventing infections among patients and reduces an avoidable burden on health systems. The shift of observations from Moment 1 to the full implementation of the  World Health Organization (WHO) 5 Moments of Hygiene in the Heart Hospital Operating Theater resulted in a dropped of hand hygiene compliance of physicians in August 2014.

A task force team was organized and a new model of improvement was created. Staff education, training, reminders, continuous feedback and full leadership support resulted in a significant increase in physicians’ compliance from 24% to over 90 per cent in August 2016 after 20 months of implementation.

​​Rising Star
Healthy Skin For All: Ulcer that Can be Prevented
All patients admitted to long-term care units of Rumailah Hospital are at high risk for developing pressure ulcers. These risks include advanced age, immobility and inadequate nutrition and hydration.

During early 2015, Rumailah Hospital extended its services for long-term ventilated and tracheostomy patients. Approximately 150 complex patients were admitted. Analysis of the data revealed that pressure ulcer prevention and management was uncoordinated.

​Optimizing MSK Imaging; An Evidence-Based Approach
The musculoskeletal (MSK) team of the Clinical Imaging Department in Hamad General Hospital developed this project with the aim of providing medically safe and effective care by reducing radiation exposure, improving quality of examinations and reports. Therefore, the team implemented evidence based standardized imaging procedural protocols and guidelines. Using a range of tools, the team charted the inconsistencies with MSK related procedural protocols and reports, followed by protocol implementation. Post-implementation observation indicated a substantial reduction in radiation exposure in the targeted radiographic procedures along with a significant improvement in image quality, reports and examinations, thereby providing consistent patient care.