Annual Ceremony of the National Initiative "Choosing Wisely"

Since its launch in Saudi Arabia in 2019, through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Patient Safety Center, "Choosing Wisely" has achieved notable successes. For instance, in 16 primary healthcare centers across the Riyadh region, repetitive and low-value laboratory tests were reduced by 10% within four months by focusing on high-value tests guided by scientific evidence-based recommendations. On a national level, the initiative contributed to a 39% reduction in unnecessary laboratory tests in one participating region, demonstrating its positive impact on healthcare efficiency and patient safety. The initiative aspires to create a national healthcare vision that is safe, effective, and patient-centered. It strengthens the partnership between healthcare providers and patients, enabling more informed and efficient treatment decisions. Additionally, the initiative underscores the Center's dedication to fulfilling the goals of Vision 2030 by improving healthcare quality and ensuring patient safety through innovative initiatives that foster trust in the national healthcare system and drive advancements in care delivery. A key future milestone for the initiative involves expanding its reach through a state-of-the-art digital platform, designed to consolidate improvement initiatives nationwide and support sustainable collaboration among healthcare stakeholders. Dr. Ali Asiri, Director General of the Saudi Patient Safety Center, affirmed that the "Choosing Wisely" initiative reflects the Center's unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare quality and patient safety through evidence-based practices. He highlighted that the initiative's accomplishments underscore the strength of partnerships between patients and healthcare providers, driving the achievement of national healthcare goals. He also noted that the annual ceremony serves as a platform to celebrate these achievements while reaffirming a shared commitment to continuous improvement.