Qatif Health Network wins second place in the Kingdom for pharmaceutical innovations
The Qatif Health Network achieved a remarkable national accomplishment, adding to the successes of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by securing second place nationwide in the final round of the seventh annual Innovative Visions for Hospital Pharmacy Practices Conference (IHOP7). This achievement, presented during a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Health in Riyadh, comes amidst fierce competition among various healthcare sectors, and underscores the competence of national talent and their ability to develop innovative solutions that benefit the healthcare system.
The "From the Gap to Leadership" Project: A Smart Strategic Transformation
This significant achievement was made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of the network's Pharmaceutical Affairs Department, through its participation in a strategic improvement project entitled "From the Gap to Leadership: Smart Transformation in Pharmaceutical Planning and Sustainability." The project outperformed strong competitors from ten major healthcare sectors that qualified for the finals, reflecting the strength of its scientific and practical methodology.
The winning project was based on a meticulous action plan that spanned more than three years, focusing primarily on optimal strategic planning for pharmaceutical inventory. The methodology included activating precise and continuous monitoring mechanisms for performance indicators, with the aim of ensuring the uninterrupted availability of medications for patients, a fundamental pillar of pharmaceutical security.
Enhancing spending efficiency and improving patient experience
The project's success wasn't limited to theoretical or planning aspects; this initiative yielded tangible results with a direct and positive impact on beneficiaries. The network significantly reduced what are known as "zero-stock items" for medications, a term referring to the complete depletion of a particular drug's stock. This achievement dramatically alleviated patients' suffering in searching for medications and ensured they received their treatment plans on time without delay.
On the financial front, this smart transformation has contributed to enhancing the efficiency of financial spending, in line with the objectives of the health sector transformation program, by achieving an accurate and smart balance between the average purchase value and the number of available drug items, thus ensuring the optimal use of available resources.
Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the health sector
This achievement comes within a broader context reflecting the Qatif Health Network's commitment to aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes human health and quality of life. The implementation of this project has led to a significant increase in patient satisfaction rates, as measured by the globally recognized "Press Ganey" index for measuring patient experience, in addition to a notable decrease in patient complaints in the long term.
These positive results were widely praised by the judging panels and experts at the conference, who confirmed that the Qatif experience represents a model to be emulated in the management of pharmaceutical resources, and can be generalized to benefit from it in various health facilities to raise the quality of care provided.
