DOHA: The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global initiative of Qatar Foundation, will focus on patient safety at a special forum during its second summit in 2015.
The summit has appointed scholar Professor Peter J Pronovost (pictured) to chair its Patient Safety Forum.
He will oversee work of a team of international experts, drawn from every field relevant to patient safety.
Patient safety is one of seven research work streams to be presented at the 2015 WISH Summit in February in Qatar.
Leading international health experts will join an influential community of heads of state, government ministers, academics, clinicians, policymakers and business leaders to discuss innovative solutions to some of the most pressing global health challenges.
Seven forums will collate and consider the latest evidence to produce practical recommendations for health policymakers around the world.
The issues to be addressed by the Patient Safety Forum include an exploration of how a systems integration approach can improve patient safety; how health systems can be designed, procured and delivered to enhance patient safety, experience and outcomes; the human and economic costs of safety failings; and learning from other high-risk sectors such as aerospace and defence.
The forum will publish an evidence-based report for discussion at the summit.
Prof Pronovost said,“Patient safety is – or should be – one of the fundamental building blocks of any healthcare system.
“However, incidences of avoidable harm remain high throughout the world and healthcare still has much to do to match the safety record of other high-risk industries, such as civil aviation or defence.
“I am pleased to lead such a distinguished team and feel confident that by collaborating, we can provide solid evidence and new perspectives that will support efforts of policymakers trying to improve their healthcare system’s safety record and patient experience.”
Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chair of WISH and Director of Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, said: “In most cases, patient safety failures involve avoidable harm.
“While raising standards is the responsibility of the global healthcare community, it is also a major policy issue. That is why WISH has decided to tackle patient safety this year, and I am delighted that Prof Pronovost has agreed to lead our work in the area.”
WISH will also publish reports on communicating complex health messages, diabetes, delivering affordable cancer care, dementia, universal health coverage and mental health and well-being of children and young people.
The Peninsula
