“Global Perspectives on Patient Safety: A Recap of the International Patient Safety Conference – 13th to 14th Feb 2023”

M. Amalorpava Mary

Assistant Manager-Quality, Kauvery Hospital Heartcity, Trichy

“Global Perspectives on Patient Safety: A Recap of the International Patient Safety Conference – 13th to 14th Feb 2023”

I recently attended the International Patient Safety Conference organised by Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, India along with my Medical Administrator Dr.R.Shanthi. It was an amazing experience and I am extremely thankful to have participated in the event. The conference was packed with eminent experts from all over the world. It was a platform to share knowledge and experiences on patient safety, which was very informative and inspiring.

During the conference, I had my first interaction with a humanoid robot named Mitri. Mitri dominated the centre stage as a co-host and drew a lot of attention from the audience. At the conference, Mitri was able to greet attendees, Introduce the delegates, answer questions and provide information about the event.

The Conference began with Dr.Sangita Reddy’s speech about the Theme: DREAM, DESIGN, DARE

Dream – I believe that dreaming is essential in healthcare, as it allows us to identify the potential of what can be achieved. When we dream in healthcare, we come up with creative ideas that can help improve the patient experience, reduce costs, and ultimately, save lives.

Design – Design is the key to making any dream a reality in healthcare. It involves creating systems, processes, and solutions that are tailored to the needs of patients and healthcare providers.

Dare – Healthcare is defined by its dynamic and ever-changing nature. We must be willing to take risks and step out of our comfort zone. To make the most of our dream and design, we must be willing to take the necessary steps to ensure that our solutions are implemented successfully.

Dr.Jonathan.B.Perlin, President & CEO of JCI spoke about the top five core opportunities in patient safety i.e.

1. Learning Health System

2. Preventing Infection in all forms

3. Decision Support/Artificial Intelligence (AI)

4. Health & Healthcare Equity

5. Patient & family engagement and

bonus: Healthcare worker well-being

He emphasized on the need for all healthcare facilities to aspire and provide safe, effective, equitable, and compassionate care. But the expectations from the patients are also in similar line but without the need of an advocate.

Patients often chant silently “Help me, Don’t harm me, Respect me.” And this is the most important aspect in patient safety.

My other favourite session was a debate on “Tech Trumps Touch in Healthcare” for the motion versus against the motion.

For the Motion

Tech trumps touch in healthcare – it offers a more efficient and accurate way to diagnose and treat patients. It also allows for faster diagnosis and treatment, which can save lives in cases of emergency. Additionally, tech can be used to monitor patients remotely, allowing for better management of chronic conditions and more effective follow-up care.

Against the Motion

Tech cannot replace the human touch in healthcare, as many physical ailments require a hands-on approach to diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, technology cannot replace the empathy and understanding that a doctor can bring to a patient. In many cases, a patient’s emotional state can be just as important to their health as the physical symptoms. Technology can never fully understand the patient’s mental state and provide the same level of care as a doctor who has spent time with them.

The winner was determined by the number of votes, and I cast my ballot against the motion.

The experts discussed the importance of patient safety and its implications in today’s healthcare system. They also discussed different strategies, policies, and technology that can be used to create a safe environment for patients. The conference also provided a platform for networking with other healthcare professionals from different parts of the world. This helped us to build relationships with our peers and get an insight into the various challenges and opportunities that exist in the field of patient safety.The sessions in the conference were specifically aimed at stimulating our intellectual capacity.

I take this opportunity to thank the management for giving me the opportunity to attend and represent Kauvery Group of Hospitals in the International Avenue. I am looking forward to attending more such events in the future.Thank you for your support and guidance.

M. Amalorpava Mary

Assistant Manager

“Global Perspectives on Patient Safety: A Recap of the International Patient Safety Conference – 13th to 14th Feb 2023”

M. Amalorpava Mary