Ensuring private hospitals' quality standards

The Ministry of Health (MoH) asked private hospitals in the UAE to submit a copy of the quality systems manual.

"We urge private hospitals to forward a copy of their quality manuals to the MoH without delay, and enable us to follow up on inspections and ensure that quality procedures are implemented," said Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for Preventive Medicine at the MoH.

The decision was announced during a meeting of the MoH with the medical directors and management of the private hospitals.

Addressing the hospital directors, Dr Fikri said all private hospitals should have these manuals including internal policies, procedures and clinical practice guidelines.

Information should range from evacuation and disaster plans to the role and purpose of internal committees.

He said by law the hospitals should have quality systems and health and safety management committees and sub-committees. "Hospitals are also advised to have internal auditors and quality departments to monitor the standard of services."

Dr Fikri said after getting quality manuals from the hospitals, the ministry will carry out inspections on site and ensure that the hospitals avail all the facilities and procedures mentioned in the manual.

"We urge private hospitals to carry out quality control through internal auditors, while quality assurance will be carried out by the MoH."

He also urged the hospitals to keep a list of all shifts and duties of their medical cadres and staff and maintain a record of every treatment and procedures carried out at the hospital.

Dr Ibrahim Al Qadi, Director of the Private Medical Practice Department, said quality manuals can be forwarded on compact disks or paper.