DOHA: 14 January, 2014

In demonstration of the continued close collaboration between Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), IHI President and CEO, Maureen Bisognano - a leading expert on quality and healthcare safety improvement, addressed a wide audience of healthcare professionals at a Grand Round lecture on Monday, 13 of January 2014, at HMC's Medical Education Center.

In her lecture on "Leadership and a Culture of Safety" Ms. Bisognano explained the importance of healthcare leadership in driving culture change in any organization by leaders demonstrating their own commitment to quality improvement and safety and providing the necessary resources and infrastructure to achieve results.

"A culture of safety represents an environment where the staff are not merely encouraged to work toward change but they feel empowered to take action when it is needed," said Ms. Bisognano. "Organizations can improve upon safety only when their leaders are visibly committed to change and when they enable staff to openly share safety information. When an organization has such a culture, staff members are more willing to point out the potential for adverse events due to unsafe conditions, and staff begin to trust that their actions can and will lead to better practices and change."

She added, "I am delighted that through our strong and continued partnership with HMC, I have met many of their very talented and committed healthcare professionals who have embarked on a continuous journey to introduce innovative and sustainable systems changes that will positively affect the lives of their patients. Changing the culture of an organization is a long and continuous process; it needs to be everyone's responsibility and part of everybody's extended job description."

Following the establishment of a strategic partnership between IHI and HMC in February 2013, the organizations are now preparing to host their second annual healthcare quality conference. The Middle East Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare will take place at Qatar National Convention Center in Doha from 25th - 27th of April, 2014. Healthcare leadership and best practice methodology that is designed to positively influence organizational culture will be among the many varied topics being discussed in lectures and workshops at this Forum.

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About HMC
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the principal public healthcare provider for the State of Qatar. The Corporation manages eight hospitals along with further specialist clinical, educational and research facilities, and is growing in capacity each year around the diverse needs of the evolving population. HMC's ambition is to become an academic health system; a world leading center of excellence in clinical care, medical education and research that transforms into significant clinical advancements. 

HMC believes in excellence in healthcare, education and research with each supporting the other to provide world-class quality patient care in a safe and healing environment.

As well as three  general hospitals situated in the most densely populated areas of Qatar, HMC also manages five specialist hospitals, looking after patients with the most prevalent conditions, including cancer, heart conditions, rehabilitation, and a hospital providing specialist treatment for women. HMC also operates the national Ambulance Service and a home healthcare service.

The Corporation was the first public healthcare system outside the United States to achieve Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for all hospitals simultaneously. JCI accreditation is based on quality and safety across all clinical and management functions. HMC is also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education - International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs.

About The Institute for Healthcare Improvement
IHI is a leading innovator in health and health care improvement worldwide. For more than 25 years, we have partnered with an ever-growing community of visionaries, leaders, and front-line practitioners around the globe to spark bold, inventive ways to improve the health of individuals and populations. Together, we build the will for change, seek out innovative models of care, and spread proven best practices. When it comes to raising the quality of health for all, IHI sees boundless possibilities and while we see the walls in front of us, we will not rest until we reach the other side. Learn more at www.ihi.org. 

For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications Department
Hamad Medical Corporation
Tel. No.: +974 4439 891
www.hamad.qa

© Press Release 2014