United Arab Emirates, Dubai, September 19, 2012: The Health Data and Information Analysis Department within the Health Policy and Strategy Sector of the DHA organized a workshop on Health Coding Standards in collaboration with the Electronic Medical Record Committee.
The workshop, which was held at Latifa Hospital, is part of the Electronic Medical Record program requirements and was attended by physicians, administrators and health information specialists from various DHA sectors.
Dr. Jamila Hassan Al Sheikh, Chief Medical Information Officer said: "Coding will enable DHA to provide clear data of health services provided to patients. All the information then gets sorted according to different disciplines. International criterions are used to code diseases and health services."
Dr. Mohammad Al Redha, Director of Health Data and Information Analysis Department, highlighted the features of the codes which are presently used by the DHA, Health Authority Abu Dhabi(HAAD) and Ministry of Health( MoH). He also provided information on the Health Information Interoperability Standards (HIIOS) set forth for the Emirate of Dubai.
He stressed: "This kind of workshop is designed keeping physicians and health information specialists in mind. Our aim is to enhance their level of awareness about international coding standards, especially since DHA is a pioneer in e-services in the Emirate of Dubai. DHA has always focused on quality and efficiency by expanding access to high-quality health information and facilitating efficient exchange of information between patients, health service providers, payers and regulators."
Mrs. Michelea Peech, certified coding expert, discussed the pros and cons of each coding standard and the benefits from standardizing the flow and movement of health data and the quality assurance expected from its use. She said: "The main benefit for the DHA is that it will be able to obtain accurate comparable data that can be used to assess quality and performance with proper planning for the future provision of health services in the DHA."
About the DHA:
Initially, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was created in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
Therefore, the 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, Minister of Finance and Industry is the President of the Dubai Health Authority. His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid is the Director General of the DHA
The DHA mandate has two distinct functions: Sectoral Oversight - For the entire health sector in Dubai- public, private and free zone and Service Delivery at DHA facilities - Hospitals, Public Health Centres and Specialised Centre.
© Press Release 2012
