QI In Action: Engaging Patients and Improving Outcomes in Dialysis Care

ACHSI Quality Improvement Awards Winner 2024 in Non-Clinical Service Delivery, Mouwasat Hospital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mouwasat Hospital at Riyadh comprises of 200 beds with the vision to provide citizens and residents with top quality health care services in terms of the health care best practices.  

In 2024, Mouwasat Hospital Riyadh was honoured with the ACHS International Quality Improvement (QI) Award in the Non-Clinical Service Delivery category for its submission, ‘Performance Improvement Department in Collaboration with Haemodialysis Unit.’ This initiative transformed this hospital’s dialysis care through a patient-centred approach that prioritises engagement, education, and holistic wellbeing. 

Project Background 

Dialysis patients often face complex physical, psychological, and social challenges. At Mouwasat Hospital, the team recognised that improving clinical outcomes required more than medical treatment alone but demanded active patient participation, clear communication, and a multidisciplinary model of care. 
 

Patient-Centred Innovations 

Over a six-month period, the project aimed to enhance the overall patient experience with a strong focus on engagement and education. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) were introduced to better understand and support patients’ needs, while clinical efforts targeted improving potassium and phosphorus levels within healthy ranges. The team also worked to reduce interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) between dialysis sessions and to lower the number of hospital readmissions and emergency visits. 

The hospital introduced a series of patient-centred innovations including monthly multidisciplinary meetings where patients were included in monthly care planning, with input from nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, social workers, educators, and clinical pharmacists. Communication boards were co-designed with patients to allow individuals to record preferences, goals, and questions for the care team. Furthermore, educational resources such as booklets, videos, posters, and QR codes were provided in Arabic and English to help inform patients about dialysis, safety, and self-care. Data was regularly collected from patient surveys to help tailor care plans and identify areas for improvement, such as diet, fluid management, and lifestyle adaptations. 
 

Data-Driven Care Improvements 

The project achieved remarkable outcomes including: 

• Overall patient satisfaction increased from 78% to over 95%, with engagement and education satisfaction reaching 98%. 

• Enhanced adherence to dietary and lifestyle recommendations improved potassium levels by 19%, phosphorus levels by 28%, and reduced IDWG by 60%. 

• Healthcare utilisation declined with a 50% reduction in hospital readmissions and a 60% decrease in emergency room visits. 

This award-winning project at Mouwasat Hospital Riyadh sets a benchmark for healthcare providers aiming to enhance dialysis care through patient-centred, multidisciplinary collaboration. It demonstrates how prioritising patient engagement and education, alongside clinical excellence, can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes and quality of life. Read our Quality Initiatives Publication 2024 to view the full submission (pg.12) as well as other outstanding projects from our QI Awards 2024 Winners and Highly Commended.