Officials of three leading organizations in the healthcare industry have agreed to collaborate on the creation of the most technically advanced, integrated medical IT system ever deployed in the private sector in Saudi Arabia at the signing ceremony. — Courtesy photo
THREE leading organizations in the healthcare industry have agreed to collaborate on the creation of the most technically advanced, integrated medical IT system ever deployed in the private sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Aldara Hospital and Medical Center, a new hospital and outpatient facility currently being constructed in Riyadh, will partner with the commercial arm of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH) – Saudi Diagnostics Holdings – and healthcare IT solution provider Cerner. Under the terms of the agreement, Saudi Diagnostics Holdings will provide Aldara with access to KFSH's best-in-class IT infrastructure and medical informatics. This is the first health information technology project between KFSH's commercial arm and the private sector. The agreement will also give Aldara access to Cerner's full suite of clinical and administrative solutions, including electronic health records and a cutting-edge patient portal. This will be the first time Cerner's solutions are being deployed in the private healthcare sector in the KSA. Cerner and KFSH have worked together for more than two decades, during which time the two organizations have delivered one of Cerner's most advanced implementations in the Middle East region. KFSH is the only medical facility in the region to have achieved HIMSS EMRAM Level 6 for both its hospital and clinics. Aldara Hospital and Medical Center is currently being developed by Aldara Medical Corporation. It will house Riyadh's largest and most technically advanced outpatient facility, while a state-of-the-art hospital will offer patients total continuity of care. Thanks to the partnership with Saudi Diagnostics Holdings and Cerner, Aldara's IT system will enable it to provide an exceptional patient experience, including a smooth check-in process, seamless access to physicians, and easy collaboration between patients and caregivers. Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Qasim Al Qasabi, chairman of Saudi Diagnostics Holdings and CEO of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre said, “For more than two decades, KFSH and Cerner have been working together to improve the way 21,000 new patients experience King Faisal Specialist Hospital every year. We recognize the need for the public and private sector to work together to improve public health and we look forward to sharing our knowledge and experience with Aldara to create a truly innovative private healthcare facility.” Osman R Minkara, managing director of Aldara Medical Corporation, said: “Our vision for Aldara is to create a facility that delivers both high-quality healthcare and a positive patient experience. Achieving these goals requires a pioneering approach to the use of technology and the Aldara team is thankful for the innovative work with Saudi Diagnostic Holdings and delighted to be partnering with both KFSH and Cerner to put in place best-in-class IT infrastructure and systems that will enable us to deliver an exceptional patient experience.” Michael Pomerance, vice president and managing director of Cerner Middle East, said: “We're delighted to be collaborating with Aldara and KFSH on such a flagship project. This is a remarkable opportunity for Cerner to develop a unified health system in the private sector and we look forward to working together to deliver an industry-leading solution that improves interactions with patients and generates better medical outcomes.” — SG
