Experts to confer on controlling the hospitalisation-related infections at Patient Safety Congress in Abu Dhabi

At any time, over 1.4 million people worldwide are suffering from infections acquired in hospitals - causing deep concerns amongst policy makers as well as practitioners.

Realising the importance of dissemination of key information, especially in hospitals, the GCC Centre for Infection Control has joined hands with the Arab Health Congress to equip the healthcare professionals with the latest information on patient safety and infection control.

The Patient Safety Exhibition and Congress on Infection Control will be held from 2-4 September at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the chairmanship of Dr. Ziad Memish, Chair, Meeting Scientific Committee & Director GCC Center for Infection Control.

'The growing threat of multiple infections in this region can best be addressed through understanding, preparedness and prevention to ensure maximum control over infections, which patients may acquire during hospitalisation', said Dr. Ziad Memish.

Commenting on the importance of this conference, Simon Page, Project Director of Arab Health said;

'Last year, the Patient Safety Congress emerged as an ideal platform for international and regional medical experts to join forces in reducing the global threat of infectious diseases. The 2007 event in Abu Dhabi will not only highlight the importance of patient safety in day to day healthcare practice, but will also bring into limelight the UAE's role as the hub of information and best practices for the healthcare industry in the Middle East.'

The Infection Control conference will address key issues with international perspectives together with the control strategies on antibiotic resistance and regional collaborative approaches to preventing healthcare infections.

Major themes will include: building the infrastructure for infection control, MRSA from international outlooks and infection prevention and control. The conference will also offer an excellent opportunity for the medical professionals to find out more about the latest JCI Standards for 2008, which are very different from 2007 as pointed out by Dr. Derrick Pasternak, JCI-Middle East Office, Dubai, UAE.
The conference on Decontamination and Sterilisation: Quality Management and Standards in CSSD, will be held from 3-4 September 2007. It will examine the development of a certified quality management system, investigate how to optimise your CSSD procedures with a computerised system, review certification for CSSD professionals and discuss CSSD accreditation.

Moreover, safety lapses like needle-stick injury and insufficient hand hygiene during medical treatment can potentially result in spread of communicable diseases like HIV and Hepatitis. The attendees of Patient Safety Congress will be able to get a closer look at and learn more about addressing these safety issues posing threats to the healthcare industry, especially in this part of the world.

The Arab Health Congress remains at the forefront of continuing medical education in the region. The Abu Dhabi Medical Congress is one of the few avenues in the UAE that are accredited by the American Academy of Continuing Medical Education (AACME), offering local medical professionals with an ideal opportunity to acquire the requisite credits without the expense or time lost for travelling abroad.

Delegates who attend the Congress will receive an AACME certificate, which can be used towards maintaining the necessary annual quota of CME credits. Attendees to the Infection Control conference receive 16 CME hours and CSSG conference attendees qualify for 10.75 hours credit from AACME.

An exhibition area showcasing the latest in patient safety, infection control and healthcare adds to the importance of the congress by providing the medical community with an ideal opportunity to interact with representatives of some of the leading producers and services providers. Registered visitors to the Patient Safety Exhibition can obtain 5 free CME hours in addition to the hours received through attending the conferences.

The event is supported by UAE Ministry of Health, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi and Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) Dubai and has attracted leading companies like MERCER Middle East as sponsor.

The Patient Safety Congress forms an important part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Medical Congress in September this year, featuring a 3-day extensive conference and exhibition programme on healthcare related sciences, products and services, including Primary Healthcare as well as Emergency Medical Services.