HMC to host region’s frst conference on clinical information systems

The role of integrated Clinical Information Systems (CIS) in transforming the delivery of healthcare in Qatar will be among the issues discussed in a conference taking place this weekend in Doha.

The Clinical Information Systems International Conference, the first of its kind in the region, is hosted by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in partnership with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and will be held on 20 April 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha.

Dr. AbdulWahab Al Musleh, Deputy Chief of Medical, Academic and Research Affairs for Clinical Information Systems, said the conference will be a platform for all healthcare industry experts to come together, learn and discuss the various opportunities and challenges that will be faced during the implementation of this system.

“It will also allow all program planners, physicians, nurses and other IT industry experts to get engaged with the program and understand how best they can contribute to this transformational journey,” Dr. Al Musleh said.

The implementation of the CIS system is a joint program between HMC and PHCC, and the implementation withinboth HMC and PHCC’s existing services will see the creation of a single, integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) for every patient, moving away from paper-based processes. This EHR will provide immediate access to patient data, access to order certain prescriptions and investigations, such as x-rays and other tests.

Dr. Juliet Ibrahim, PHCC’s Executive Director of Clinical Affairs and CIS Program Steering Committee Co-Deputy Chair said “The true value of the implementation of such a CIS program will be the impact on enhancing patient care.”A CIS program will also help streamline processes and enhance patient care, allowing authorized clinical staff to share and view patient records on a common platform and have access to the patient’s complete medical history, enabling them to make more informed decisions.

The conference is being held in partnership with PHCC, and is sponsored by HP, OCSHI Solutions and Services, Aamal, Dell, Cerner and Partners HealthCare International. A celebratory gala dinner will be held at the end of the conference, which is sponsored by Kulluna.