Patient-focused healthcare index to be implemented in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Healthcare Quality Index will aim to be a “comprehensive and transparent quality framework” that will “improve on the latest thinking on quality internationally”.

ABU DHABI // A healthcare index that aims to be a benchmark for the region is being set up to improve patient safety and quality standards.

Details of the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Quality Index will be revealed at a medical conference in the capital next week.

It is meant to be a “comprehensive and transparent framework” that will “improve on the latest thinking on quality internationally”, according to Dr Asma Al Mannaei, director of strategy at Health Authority Abu Dhabi.

“We are looking in the longer term to make this index available for any of our partner organisations in the GCC and beyond to enable benchmarking to drive continuous improvement,” she said. The index aims to place patients at the centre of care, reward evidence-based practice and reflect the highest global standards.

It will initially focus on hospitals and clinics, and other healthcare facilities will be included later.

“The final framework will specify quality standards and performance targets to ensure consistent application by regulators and providers alike and guide quality improvement efforts,” said Dr Al Mannaei.

The factors in measuring the quality of healthcare include the mortality rate, waiting time, patient satisfaction, and details of processes such as the frequency of hand-washing.

The three-day Middle East Patient Safety and Quality Congress 2015 opens on Monday.

The authority will host the conference, which is endorsed by the GCC Health Ministers Council and the Saudi Quality Council.