Collaborating Centers with the Saudi Patient Safety Center (SPSC-cc)
Collaborating Centers with the Saudi Patient Safety Center (SPSC-cc)
Overview:
The Collaborating Centers of the Saudi Patient Safety Center (SPSC) represent a pioneering national model of institutional collaboration in the field of patient safety.
This initiative aims to build an integrated knowledge network that facilitates the exchange of expertise and the application of best practices contributing to improved healthcare quality, enhancing trust in the national health system, and aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives for health and quality of life.
Objectives:
General Objectives of the Collaborating Centers:
- Enhance the quality and safety of healthcare through national programs and initiatives specialized in patient safety.
- Establish and expand patient safety standards and practices across the Kingdom.
- Strengthen patient safety through active collaborating centers in various regions.
- Foster cooperation and knowledge exchange among healthcare institutions to ensure continuous improvement and dissemination of best practices.
A Collaborating Center is a healthcare institution or a department within one designated by the Saudi Patient Safety Center to be part of a local collaborative network. It implements programs and activities that promote patient safety and support the Center's strategic objectives within its region.
Main Pillars:
1. Capacity Building and Empowering Healthcare Providers
- Training and Development: Implementing comprehensive training programs focused on patient safety practices and healthcare quality improvement methodologies.
- Enhancing Technical Expertise: Facilitating access to technical knowledge and resources to empower healthcare providers to adopt patient safety practices.
- Supporting Research and Innovation: Encouraging and supporting research initiatives that contribute to developing new patient safety protocols and innovative quality solutions.
2. Patient Empowerment
- Educational Initiatives: Developing and disseminating educational materials and programs to raise patient awareness about their role in ensuring safe care.
- Enhancing the Patient's Role as a Partner: Establishing platforms for patients to share their views, including activating the Patient and Family Advisory Council.
3. Strengthening Reporting and Learning Systems
- Incident Reporting Mechanisms: Supporting patient safety incident reporting systems to ensure effective data collection and analysis, and developing related policies.
- Knowledge Dissemination: Sharing incident report findings and analyses with the network of collaborating centers to promote continuous learning and improvement.
4. Promoting a Culture of Patient Safety
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Fostering a Safety Culture: Supporting institutional transformation toward making patient safety a strategic priority across all levels of the health system. This includes conducting regular safety culture assessments, promoting leadership engagement in Just Culture principles, encouraging error reporting, and strengthening continuous learning from events all to create a trusted and safe environment for both patients and providers.
To qualify as a Collaborating Center with SPSC, nominated institutions must meet essential criteria that ensure quality collaboration and alignment with SPSC's strategic objectives:
Scientific and Professional Competence:
- Recognized as a reputable healthcare or academic institution nationally or internationally.
- Possess a qualified and experienced team in patient safety or related fields.
- Demonstrate prior experience in implementing patient safety programs or projects.
Compliance with Health Standards and Policies:
- Adhere to national and international patient safety regulations and standards.
- Maintain an effective quality management and patient safety system.
- Provide evidence of compliance with accredited standards (e.g., CBAHI accreditation).
Operational Capacity and Resources:
- Have adequate infrastructure to support the execution of patient safety projects and activities.
- Ensure sufficient human, financial, and technical resources for sustainable collaboration.
- Utilize advanced information systems for data collection and analysis.
Commitment to Research and Development:
- Maintain ongoing research activities in patient safety or related fields.
- Conduct studies that improve healthcare practices and share research outcomes.
- Participate in publishing scientific articles related to patient safety.
Transparency and Accountability:
- Provide regular reports on implemented activities under the collaboration framework.
- Ensure accurate and transparent disclosure of project outcomes.
- Commit to performance evaluation and periodic review of results.
Effective Communication and Collaboration:
- Maintain open and effective communication with SPSC and the designated team.
- Appoint a focal point for coordination between the collaborating center and SPSC.
- Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to SPSC guidance and requirements.
Institutional Support and Leadership Commitment:
- Ensure top management endorsement of collaboration with SPSC.
- Sustain institutional support and allocate necessary resources for achieving joint goals.
- Develop a clear action plan and defined collaboration objectives.
Responsibilities of the Saudi Patient Safety Center (SPSC):
- Provide Overall Guidance: Work with collaborating centers to deliver clear directions aligned with national patient safety goals and standards.
- Develop Joint Work Plans: Review performance indicators periodically to ensure they reflect progress and outcomes.
- Provide Technical and Advisory Support: Offer technical assistance and expert consultation as needed to address challenges and facilitate implementation.
- Monitor Progress and Promote Continuous Improvement: Track center performance, document achievements, and encourage ongoing quality improvement through constructive feedback and success sharing.
Responsibilities of the Collaborating Center:
- Contribute to National Patient Safety Initiatives: Implement initiatives that enhance patient safety regionally.
- Participate in Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange: Support training and professional development programs to enhance skills across institutions.
- Support Healthcare Quality Improvement: Execute specific activities and projects jointly agreed upon with SPSC, focusing on service quality and safety culture enhancement.
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Strengthen Regional Collaboration: Maintain ongoing coordination and information sharing with regional healthcare providers, ensuring alignment with national patient safety policies.
1. Implementation of the Work Plan:
- Execute the agreed-upon work plan efficiently and in accordance with the timeline and quality standards.
- Notify SPSC in writing of any delays or obstacles affecting implementation.
- Hold regular meetings with SPSC representatives to review progress.
2. Use of SPSC Name and Logo:
- The name or logo of SPSC may only be used for approved activities related to the work plan and with prior written authorization.
- The approved usage format is:
“A Collaborating Center with the Saudi Patient Safety Center in the field of Reporting and Learning Systems." - Use of the logo for marketing or commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.
3. Intellectual Property:
- Outputs developed under the work plan remain the property of the implementing entity; however, SPSC retains a non-exclusive, perpetual right to use them.
- The SPSC name or logo may not be used in scientific publications without written approval.
- Prior coordination is required for developing technical or training tools.
4. Collaboration with the Private Sector:
- Any financial support or relationships with private entities relevant to the work plan must be disclosed.
- The collaborating center must maintain independence and avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Reporting and Monitoring:
- Submit annual reports summarizing progress, challenges, and achievements.
- Submit semi-annual reports detailing work progress.
- SPSC reserves the right to request interim reports as needed.
6. Research and Development:
- Adhere to national and international research standards and regulations.
- Protect participant data confidentiality in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Law (Royal Decree No. M/19, dated 09/02/1443H).
7. Transparency and Conflict of Interest:
- All parties must declare the absence of any relationships or interests that could affect objectivity.
- Implement corrective measures if any conflict arises.
- SPSC reserves the right to suspend or terminate collaboration in cases of misconduct or lack of transparency.
8. Certificates:
- SPSC's name or logo may not appear on training certificates issued by the collaborating center without prior written approval.
- Certificates must state that the activity was in collaboration with SPSC, not under its direct supervision, unless otherwise agreed.
9. Website and Published Content:
- Any dedicated webpage for the collaborating center must be separate and limited to activities within the scope of collaboration.
- The SPSC logo must not appear on the main page of the partner's website.
- All webpage content and publications must be reviewed and approved by SPSC beforehand.
10. Contribution to Policy and Guideline Development:
- If the collaborating center contributes to national policy or guideline development, it must follow the scientific methodology approved by SPSC.
- All references and evidence must be documented.
11. Liability:
- The collaborating center is fully responsible for implementing activities and their outcomes, technically and legally.
- SPSC bears no liability for any damages or claims arising from field implementation.
12. Suspension or Termination of Designation:
- SPSC reserves the right to suspend or terminate the collaborating status in case of non-compliance with any conditions.
- This includes breaches of institutional values, violation of national policies, or repeated failure to deliver on commitments.
These terms form the regulatory framework governing collaboration, and compliance is a prerequisite for maintaining SPSC Collaborating Center designation.
How to Apply:
Applications can be submitted via email at: partnerships@spsc.gov.sa