BAHRAIN witnessed a 20 per cent drop in medical error and negligence claims last year, compared with the previous years.
The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) received 213 complaints for investigation in 2021, compared with 271 in 2020 and 257 in 2019.
NHRA chief executive Dr Mariam Al Jalahma told the GDN that tough policies and guidelines for health professionals and facilities streamlined the system and resulted in a drop in complaints.
She also highlighted continuous education that keeps medics abreast of developments, and results in facilities and healthcare workers being accountable for their actions.
“Disciplinary measures taken against a person or a facility is the last step as none would intentionally make an error,” Dr Al Jalahma said.
“Proper regulations ensure that healthcare professionals are held accountable for the errors.”
Dr Al Jalahma was responding to the GDN at the launch of the NHRA’s annual report for 2021.
The authority received 213 complaints last year, of which 146 were from individuals and 25 from healthcare facilities. A total of 41 complaints were referrals by the Public Prosecution or courts, and one case was reported by the NHRA inspection team.
The department launched investigations into 176 cases, of which 114 were completed. A total of 44 cases were closed as they were either irrelevant to the NHRA or for lack of evidence, while 18 incidents are still being probed.
“A medical error or violation of principles, obligations, requirements, or ethics were only found in 30.7 per cent of the investigated cases, while no error/violation of principles, obligations, or requirements were identified in the remaining 69.3pc,” the report pointed out.
In 42pc of the cases, the treating physician was responsible for the error, while the facility was to be blamed in 52pc of incidents. Six per cent of complaints followed mistakes on the part of nurses, pharmacists, or other allied professionals.
Dr Al Jalahma noted that many medical error claims involved doctors who were practising beyond their speciality, which she said called for tough action.
“Strict disciplinary action taken against practitioners played a major role in reducing medical errors. Accreditations and regular inspections at facilities also helped in reducing errors by ensuring proper policies and procedures,” she said.
“Managements should ensure medics do not practice beyond what their licence permits them to do. Accreditation and evaluations should be timely and in place.”
Last year also witnessed 57 disciplinary measures issued by the NHRA committee. This included 30 decisions to suspend licences of professionals, 15 warning notices, revocation of licences for four workers, and issuance of four monetary fines for healthcare facilities. Four professionals were meanwhile acquitted based on the decision of the appeal committee.
In her address at the virtual launch of the report, Dr Al Jalahma underlined the efforts of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus and the evolution of NHRA as a pragmatic regulator during the pandemic.
“We facilitated the rapid launch of clinical trials and timely access to critical medicinal products and diagnostic tests, thus rendering continued support to the national efforts to combat Covid-19,” she said.
Inclusion
She highlighted that the authority last year approved seven vaccines, four Covid antibodies and 12 rapid antigen test kits after a thorough examination of their efficacy.
The NHRA also monitored healthcare facilities, isolation and quarantine centres to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“In 2021, 16 new employees were hired in various departments and we also increased our revenue through regulatory services,” she said.
“The revenue-to-recurring-expense ratio reached 93pc in 2021, up from 91pc in 2020.
“Our mental health and wellbeing initiative, as well as our equal opportunity committee, are being expanded as we strive to create a culture of inclusion and achievement for everyone.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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