UAE | Health
Private hospitals told to report deaths electronically
Deaths occurring in private hospitals now have to be reported electronically and immediately to the emirate’s health authority, in a bid to catch and investigate medical mistakes as soon as they occur.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 16:18 February 20, 2008
Dubai: Deaths occurring in private hospitals now have to be reported electronically and immediately to the emirate's health authority, in a bid to catch and investigate medical mistakes as soon as they occur.
Apart from the death notification, the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) also require private hospitals and clinics to submit the patient's cause of death, as well as his or her medical and treatment records. Private medical centres have till March 1 to comply.
Dr Ramadan Ebrahim, head of the Clinical Governance Office at Dohms, told Gulf News the move was to ensure a high standard of care in the private sector.
"We are not doubting the expertise of the private sector, saying that they are killing patients. But we just want to make sure that things are running well," he said.
He said the Mortality Screening Form would help Dohms detect and investigate any medical mistakes associated with the death without any delays, including having to wait for an official complaint from family members and medical files to be delivered manually.
Previously, private hospitals and clinics have had to report any death and its cause manually, which can take a few days. Investigating possible medical malpractice and negligence cases also depended on a family member filing a complaint with Dohms or from press reports.
Share this article
More from UAE Health
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Gang who robbed Dh1m from businessman nabbed
- Chinese duo held for assault, blackmail
- Khalifa's decree on border affairs council
- Favourable weather for Eid weekend
- Teacher jailed for indecent behaviour
- Forum seeks more reforms to human trafficking law
- Crackdown urged on drink driving
- Disability is no handicap for this Emirati
- Shaikh Khalifa revamps security council
- Exhibition to showcase UAE art in New York
- Police officer injured during raid on brothels
- Waiters tamper with orders, cheat customers
- Queen praises UAE's role
- Noise pollution must be regulated
- Don't slaughter at home — municipality
Community Reports
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
-
Keeping out curious cats in Abu Dhabi
Felines trapped in electrical substations create a nuisance
-
Construction site turned into dump
Sharjah residents using abandoned spot to dispose of waste
