As part of World Patient Safety Week, the Lebanese Geitaoui Hospital – University Medical Center (HLG-CHU) organized its third awareness conference on patient safety in healthcare facilities on March 14 and 15, 2018. Under the theme "Raising the Bar: Advanced Practices for Patient Safety," about a hundred healthcare professionals specializing in quality and patient safety from various Lebanese hospitals gathered at the Elie Selwan Auditorium at HLG-CHU. Together with a dozen speakers, they discussed the latest advancements in the field.

HLG-CHU had the honor of welcoming Professor Fadi El Jardali, who emphasized the importance of establishing national policies and regulatory frameworks to enhance quality and patient safety measures in Lebanese hospitals.

Indeed, patient safety in healthcare facilities is a global challenge. American studies indicate that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, following cardiovascular diseases and cancer (Makary et al., 2016). The issue appears even more concerning when certain studies report that between 25% and 50% of hospitalized patients experience at least one medical error during their stay (Landrigan et al., 2010; Levinson et al., 2011; Classen et al., 2016).

In light of this reality, the General Directorate of the Lebanese Geitaoui Hospital – University Medical Center, represented by Reverend Sister Hadia Abi Chebli and Professor Pierre Yared, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to continuously improving patient safety. They also announced HLG-CHU’s official membership in the Patient Safety Movement, urging all Lebanese hospitals to do the same in order to minimize medical errors and ensure patient safety.

Over the two-day conference, twelve experts from various medical and nursing specialties presented scientifically validated updates on improving patient safety in their respective fields.

During the event, Professor Fadi El Jardali delivered a keynote lecture highlighting the necessity of developing appropriate national policies—through institutions such as the Ministry of Public Health and professional syndicates—as a foundation for promoting quality and patient safety initiatives in healthcare institutions.

El Jardali also addressed the new hospital accreditation project being developed by the Ministry of Public Health, stressing the importance of evolving quality and patient safety standards.

At the conclusion of the conference, the HLG-CHU administration officially announced the hospital's membership in the Global Patient Safety Movement, reinforcing its belief in and commitment to this cause. The hospital further encouraged all Lebanese healthcare institutions to follow suit and actively work to reduce medical errors.

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