The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), within the Women’s Hospital, is considered to be a highly motivated and committed team. The senior members of the team were keen to ensure continuous quality improvement within the NICU and to demonstrate evidence-based practice.
The purpose of the NICU Task Force is to review the current status of the department, implement recommended changes, monitor the transformation of care within NICU and establish future priorities that will position the NICU as a model of excellence within Hamad Medical Corporation and the Middle East. The task force met for the first time on 8 January 2013 and will meet every two weeks, in the first instance, to agree priorities and develop the work program.
The task force has representation from all healthcare professional groups who are involved with patient care within the NICU. The task force is chaired by Dr. Hilal Rifai, Medical Director of Women’s Hospital. Dr. Rifai provides excellent clinical leadership to the group and the task force members are highly invested in improving the service provided to neonates and their families.
A team from the NICU at SickKids-Toronto visited Doha in February 2013. They spent time on the unit with the HMC’s NICU team, observing practice, and discussing areas of priority that should be the focus going forward. They also gave three lectures and facilitated a journal club meeting. The outcome of the visit will determine the areas of priority that the task force will focus on during 2013, and influence a detailed work program that will guide the work throughout the year.
