New system to cut down hospital hazards

The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the Emirate's health care regulatory body, has announced the launch of the Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) across all of its 33 hospitals. The new system aims to reduce the potential risks that could threaten the health and safety of hospital staff, patients, contractors and visitors as well as environmental hazards. Under the new system, each hospital is required to develop their own EHSMS based on hazards and risks associated with their operations and submit the system to HAAD for approval. After final approval the hospitals will have to implement the system within their facilities and be regularly inspected and audited on EHSMS compliance. The new EHSMS will encourage sustainable development, and will help health care facilities create safer and healthier workplaces by reducing injuries and illnesses and consequently reducing the number of working hours lost. It will also help improve efficiency. Article continues below Workshops HAAD conducted two EHSMS awareness workshops in December 2010 and March 2011 introducing the EHSMS concept to the hospitals. Regular workshops and training sessions are to be held soon to develop, implement and manage individual EHSMSs. HAAD is developing an online portal to enable health care providers to register their EHSMS and report key performance indicators (KPI's) including health and safety, infection control, environmental and sustainability KPI's.