Achieving and Maintaining High Standards of Patient Safety through a Continuous Quality Improvement Approach

The implementation of patient safety in everyday clinical practice is a key issue in current medicine and a direct determinant of healthcare quality. An international conference organized by Petre Shotadze, Tbilisi Medical Academy, was dedicated to this important topic: “Achieving and Maintaining High Standards of Patient Safety through a Continuous Quality Improvement Approach.”

The conference aimed to provide healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, quality management specialists, administrators, management teams, students, and residents—with insights into modern approaches to patient safety management. Participants discussed current challenges in patient safety, solutions based on continuous improvement principles, cost-effectiveness, and best practices in safety management.

The event, which included both theoretical sessions and the discussion of practical case studies, was opened by Dr. Mariam Jashi, Head of the TMA Advisory Board and Executive Director of the Global Sepsis Alliance. Additionally, Dr. Mamuka Chkhaidze, Vice-Rector for Education at the Tbilisi Medical Academy, also addressed the audience.

The list of speakers included experts from the United States:

Associate Professor Peter Martell (Healthcare Administration and Quality, Sawyer School of Business, Suffolk University, Boston, USA) delivered a presentation on “High-Reliability Organizations.”.

Professor Tyler Towers (Healthcare Policy and Administration, University of Utah, USA) discussed the international accreditation of medical providers, including an analysis of related challenges and outcomes.

Lela Sturua, Master of Medicine and a certified specialist of the International Society for Quality in Healthcare, made a presentation on international accreditation, healthcare quality, and patient safety.

The event was also attended by certified quality management professionals and practicing clinicians from Georgia.

The conference was accredited by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), and 7.5 EACCME credit points were awarded to participants following the event.