The Second Conference on Transforming Healthcare with IT inaugurated

Hosted by the Apollo Hospitals Group along with a consortium of Healthcare IT Companies, the Second Conference on Transforming Healthcare with IT was inaugurated on April 22nd, 2011 at HICC, Hyderabad, by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD, Apollo Hospitals Group.

The conference witnessed a series of comprehensive discussions and panels to review the adoption of Healthcare Information Technology and industry best practices for enhanced operational efficiencies and patient care. The 2nd day of the Patient Safety Congress saw plenary discussions merging of IT with Healthcare to ensure better Patient Care.

Highlights of the day:

• Inauguration of 2nd Conference on Transforming Healthcare with IT
• Launch of the Patient Safety Course
• Global View on Patient Safety by McKinsey, JCI and Davita Inc.
• Dr Prathap C Reddy Patient Safety Awards
• Role of ICT in Healthcare

At the conference Dr Prathap C Reddy presented the Patient Safety Awards to colleges and hospitals across India, the chief guest at the awards ceremony Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Kiran Kumar Reddy appreciated the efforts of Apollo Hospitals in bridging synergies between caregivers, organisations and patients.

Commenting on the two International conferences, Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “”To ensure Patient Safety, we need to realise that it is a global responsibility which needs to be cultivated within every healthcare system. Across the globe, healthcare providers and policy makers are grappling with a deep and diverse set of challenges to provide world-class healthcare delivery. Transforming healthcare will require much effort and a willingness to experiment with options. Active engagement, collaboration, and innovation will help to lead and shape this transformation. Optimum healthcare calls for a more collaborative, innovative, and technologically focused healthcare system.””

Across the globe, healthcare providers and policy makers are grappling with a deep and diverse set of challenges to provide world-class healthcare delivery. Healthcare delivery is a complex business and requires extremely close engagement amongst all stakeholders within the ecosystem. “”The realm of patient care is evolving every day and Healthcare IT has become a critical driver of this change. It represents an opportunity to not only improve quality and reduce cost but also enhance access, speed and scale,”” said Ms Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Operations, Apollo Hospitals Group. “”This conference will help us bring along a wealth of knowledge from across the world onto a single platform””.

T.Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India focussed on the role of healthcare, research and development as a national perspective. “”There has been shifting trends in healthcare and our challenge is to bridge technology and medical science into a single window. With the advancement in technology, we have seen global practices reach India in almost real time, making India a hub of medical tourism. Our effort today is to build synergy between research & development, technology & healthcare to address the need of human healthcare system,”” he emphasized.

To ensure patient safety, we need to ensure that we do safety rounds at regular intervals; have a safe physical facility, medical and other equipments and people must be effectively managed. Management must strive to reduce adverse events, prevent accidents and maintain safe conditions. “”Patients can ensure a safer experience with the health care system by being involved and informed about their treatment. By asking questions and following through on their clinician’s treatment and instructions, patients can take part in the process and gain confidence in the system. Improving patient safety requires continuous learning and the constant communication of information between caregivers, organizations, and patients,”” said Ms Shobana Kamineni, ED – New Initiatives, Apollo Hospitals Group.

The event brought together eminent policy-makers, healthcare providers and technologists from across the globe, combining the synergies of healthcare IT to bring about a more ‘Connected Healthcare Ecosystem’. Delegates at the event looked at the evolution of healthcare from a macro perspective: healthcare delivery can be improved with the use of information technology.