1st Saudi Patient Safety Conf

In March 2017, His Excellency, the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah launched the Saudi Patient Safety Center which is a governmental initiative put forward under the kingdom’s vision 2030 and being operationalized through the National Transformation Program. The SPSC aims to ensure a safer healthcare for all, by improving patient safety, through creation and dissemination of best practices in patient safety and supporting all levels of healthcare institutions in the kingdom to apply them into their practice. The center is the first of its kind within the MENA region and proactively exchanges expertise with local, regional and international organizations to achieve its aspirations and enhance cooperation between the Kingdom and other countries. The Kingdom’s active participation in the global patient safety movement, is highly reflected in the assignment of Saudi Arabia as the host of the 4th Global Ministerial Patient Safety Summit, being held next year, March 2019, where health ministers from all over the globe and respective delegations will actively participate in setting corner stone on the future of patient safety policy worldwide. Under the patronage of His Excellency, the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah, the SPSC is hosting the 1st SPSC International Patient Safety Conference, to be held on December 1st-3rd, 2018. The Organizing Committee members have developed a unique and stimulating event with a rich program that aims to provide the attendees with a memorable experience. For the first time in the history of conferences in the kingdom, the public is a target audience of a national scientific level event. The scientific program of the 1st SPSC International Patient Safety Conference has been thoroughly planned by the Scientific Committee who are subject matters experts in the field of Patient Safety.The event starts with a series of workshops during the first day in addition to abstract presentations, being held during day 2 and day 3.
The highlight of the event will happen on the second day with the announcement of the National Patient Safety Award recipient, which will be awarded by His Excellency, the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah. This prize recognizes individuals and institutions that have demonstrated elevated levels of commitment to ensure patient safety and has full support of our partner Health Matrix. Throughout the three days, we will be honored to collaborate with our international partners during joint sessions, such as the Institute for Health Improvement (IHI), the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI). One of the main events is the plenary session open to the public during the 3rd day where international and national guests will be our honored speakers. The 1st SPSC International Patient Safety Conference comes up with more than 60 sessions on patient safety related topics. Important topics that will be explored are the national priorities for patient safety, patient empowerment, workforce safety, culture of safety in healthcare organizations and harnessing innovation and therefore technology to improve patient safety. This event provides the opportunity for all healthcare professionals and the public to share expertise and experiences while aiming to achieve a safer healthcare for all. We are very honored to have a group of hardworking people who have put their efforts to make this program a great achievable success. On behalf of the 1st SPSC International Patient Safety Conference Scientific and Organizing Committees, we wish that everyone will enjoy this conference being conducting in the newest, elegant and fascinating venue “The Crown Plaza”, Riyadh.

Dr. Abdulelah Alhawsawi
Director General of Saudi Patients Safety Center