Healthcare | Thursday 22 January, 2015 2:55 pm |

Canadian Specialist Hospital (CSH), one of the leading private sector hospitals in the UAE, has won the topmost rating from Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for progress made in electronic documentation in line with international best practices in integrating information technology for improved patient care.

The DHA evaluation of the level of electronic documentation of medical records in hospitals was based on the internationally accepted Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM). The evaluation process also coincides with Dubai’s ‘Smart City’ initiative, aimed to transform the city into one of the smartest in the world by providing seamless access to various services and utilities across high speed wireless internet.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) enable hospitals and clinicians to maintain and track data over digital devices to identify and monitor patients for preventive visits, screening and timely intervention. With the paperless system, authorised persons can update data using the Hospital Management System (HIS) anywhere in the hospital so that for doctors, nurses and care-givers have quick and easy access to real-time patient information.

“EMR has its operational and patient safety benefits. Comprehensive, up-to-date and readily available patient information leads to better diagnosis and treatment as well as improved monitoring of patients. For hospitals, such accurate and easily accessible data means significant improvements in overall and operations, particularly in terms of workflow, productivity and service quality,” commented said Dr.Haider Al Zubaidy, CEO, Canadian Specialist Hospital.

Dubai hospitals have yet to reach exceptional levels of EMR adoption as per the EMRAM standards but the DHA evaluation revealed a growing level of compliance with international benchmarks on quality and patient safety.

“Since EMR helps more accurate reporting and analysis of services, healthcare providers can address gaps and manage their resources better. Our efforts to implement EMR stems from our commitment to reducing medical errors and providing reliable and efficient patient care in which Canadian Specialist Hospital remains at the forefront,” added said Dr.Haider.
Recently, CSH was reaccredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), the world’s largest healthcare accreditor, in recognition of the hospital’s continuing commitment to evidence-based medicine, quality assurance, medical ethics and patient safety, and the reduction of medical errors. First accredited in 2011, CSH won the mandatory reaccreditation from JCI in 2014 after a rigorous assessment of the hospital’s level of compliance to quality standards.

EMR also allows convenient sharing of critical patient information among healthcare providers while safeguarding confidentiality and principles of medical ethics. The EMRAM model provides for access controls on patient data while patients are entitled to get a copy of their medical record and know how it is used and shared.

“Our focus on EMR, which DHA has rightly acknowledged, is primarily aimed to reassure our patient community that CSH will continue to invest our efforts and resources in ensuring the best available care for them,” stated Dr.Haider.

Canadian Specialist Hospital provides a wide range of medical services and houses some of the most advanced surgical facilities in Dubai. Continuous development and investment in technology, medical expertise and support facilities have contributed to the hospital’s current stature as one of the preeminent medical institutions in the Middle East.