SEHA Launches Medication Safety Public Campaign

SEHA Abu Dhabi Health Services Company has launched its public information kiosks today across the emirate, encouraging the public to become more actively engaged and discuss their medication with participating SEHA pharmacists.

Medication Safety Campaign 2009 kicked off with a call to health practitioners to become more aware of medication safety practices and to adopt them in their hospitals. As part of the weeklong campaign, the public has an opportunity to get advice from pharmacists at information kiosks throughout all of SEHA’s hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia, and at kiosks located in all main malls.

The message delivered in the campaign banner “Ask Your Pharmacist” calls upon the public to carry more responsibility and learn how to administer and store medications, and engage directly with pharmacists.

Clyde Eder, Chief Operation Officer of SEHA stated that medication safety is a public health issue and made an appeal to all hospitals to get their staff involved. “You are at the fore front; setting the stage and the standards. It is about giving the right medication to the right patient at the right time.” Eder explained that medications have become stronger and more effective, and that the multiplicity of drugs opens the possibility of dangerous interactions.

Dr Mariam Al Mazrouie, Clinic Affairs Manager at SEHA added: “I still clearly remember the turbulence that occurred in the healthcare world 10 years ago in 1999, when the Institute of Medicine in the US published their report “to Err is Human” on medical errors which galvanized the public and the health professions and led to congressional hearings, media exposés, and millions of anxious patients.”

Dr. Sahar Abu Omar, Chairperson of the Medication Safety Department, SEHA, said that educating healthcare professionals in safe practices is vital, and one of the continuing initiatives of the health authorities. She stressed the importance of eliminating barriers between the public and their healthcare providers and making patients feel comfortable about asking questions.

Additionally, healthcare professionals need to be empowered and feel secure about reporting medications errors, she added explaining that SEHA is adapting medication safety best practices in line with the leading international organizations such as the Joint Commission (JCI) and the Institute of Safe Medication Practice (ISMP), said Abu Omar.

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