Latifa Hospital announced on Wednesday the implementation of an intelligent communication technology that aims to help improve patient care, safety and satisfaction.

The new system—provided by Vocera Communication, Inc, a recognized leader in clinical communication and workflow solutions—aims to improve staff response times and create a quieter environment for patients using secure text messaging and hands-free voice communication at the 344-bed hospital.

Commenting on the implementation of the new system, His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said the adoption of the technology is an important step in utilizing technology to better serve customers, which is in line with the Dubai Government strategy of converting the city into a smart one.

He added that the launch will help doctors to better communicate with each other to accomplish customer satisfaction and fulfill the authority’s ultimate objective, which is achieving a healthy and happy community.

Al Qutami revealed that the system will be launched in all DHA facilities in the next phase as it is compatible with existing smart technology adopted at its facilities. 

Dr Muna Tahlak, CEO of Latifa Hospital said that the DHA is on a mission to create a smart healthcare system and an important component of that vision is having an intelligent communication platform,”

Further explaining the Vocera technology, she said that it will help connect team members by role, name or group using voice or text.

“The speed of connectivity will improve workflows and communication efficiency between nurses and doctors, which is critical for many of our patient cases like emergency c-sections,” she added during a press conference held on the sidelines of GITEX 2017.

Dr Tahlak said as the the insurance legislation comes through and more people become insured an increase in the number of patients served is expected.

“Therefore we need to have the right infrastructure in place, and a smart communication system is key to ensuring safe, high-quality patient care.”

Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system is also part of the hospital’s expansion plan. Integration with the EHR and Vocera technology will help improve communication of critical lab results and other important information to the right clinicians at the right time on their device of choice. 

Brent Lang, president and CEO of Vocera said they are excited to support Latifa Hospital and be part of Dubai Health Authority’s mission to create a smart health system.

 “The combination of Latifa Hospital’s clinical expertise and an intelligent communication system is sure to transform the healthcare experience for patients, families and staff.”

 Latifa Hospital is well-known for its maternity services expertise and is a referral hospital for high-risk deliveries because of its sophisticated neonatal intensive care unit, fetomaternal services, and the pediatric surgery unit. A healthcare pioneer for almost 30 years, it is the oldest and largest maternity and pediatric government hospital in the emirate. Every year, approximately 6,000 deliveries take place at the hospital. In 2016, approximately 60,000 patients were seen in Latifa Hospital’s emergency department.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Mahmoud Al Ali 
Head of Media
Dubai Health Authority 
myalali@dha.gov.ae
+9714 219 7260

Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority 
klgupta@dha.gov.ae 
nnnazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455

About the Dubai Health Authority: 
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.

The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2017