المملكة: A national trend to standardize clinical care and infection prevention in kidney centers
Introduced by the Saudi Center for Accreditation of Health facilities, through the “Estalaa” platform, a project for national standards for Hemodialysis, to standardize clinical practices and ensure the provision of safe care.
The project aims to provide a unified national reference that defines the basic requirements for providing an effective and patient-centered dialysis service, to be fully applicable to all licensed centers according to their approved scope.
The draft standards obligated the centers to apply specific ratios for nursing staff, which are one nurse for every 3 patients in adult hemodialysis, and one nurse for every two patients in hemodialysis. For children.
Dialysis services
The standards also specified the allocation of one nurse for every 25 adult patients, and one nurse for every 10 children in peritoneal dialysis services, with the requirement that a qualified nephrologist supervise the management of medical services.
The new regulation required a comprehensive clinical assessment to be conducted before the sessions began, with blood pressure measured and documented every 30 minutes throughout the dialysis period to ensure the stability of the patient’s condition.
The standards required the centers to provide a support system. 24 hours a day for peritoneal dialysis patients to deal with emergency cases, in addition to allocating separate training rooms to educate patients and their families.
Preventing the transmission of infection
With regard to infection control, the regulatory document stressed the necessity of physical isolation for patients carrying the hepatitis B virus, and allocating an independent nursing staff to them throughout the shift to prevent transmission of infection.
The standards obligated the centers to conduct a monthly examination of dialysis water to ensure that it is free of contamination. Bacterial and endotoxin “endotoxin”, with periodic disinfection of water treatment plants.
The directives included imposing strict controls on medication management, which included disposing of open multi-dose vials within 30 days, and implementing preventive measures for high-risk medications that are similar in appearance and pronunciation.
Artificial Intelligence Technologies
The project legalized the use of artificial intelligence technologies and digital care within centers, stipulating their compatibility with national systems to protect the privacy of patient data, while providing alternatives. Non-digital when needed.
The Saudi Center for Accreditation of Health Facilities has obligated the centers’ administrations to develop comprehensive emergency plans that include providing alternative sources of energy and water, and conducting periodic analyzes of potential risks.
This development step comes with the participation of 12 entities, led by the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the Health Insurance Council, and the Saudi Health Council.
National Health Insurance
The National Center for Health Information and the Sector Transformation Program are also participating in the project. Health, the Public Health Authority, the Saudi Center for Patient Safety, and the National Health Insurance Center.
The system supporting the project is completed with the participation of specialized sectors, including King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, and Health Affairs at the Ministry of the National Guard.
The project is currently in the “under investigation” state to receive views and suggestions from specialists before its final approval.
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