Introduction

The National Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health (NABIDH), as defined by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), sets guidelines and standards for healthcare facilities in Dubai. While healthcare providers often focus on their internal processes, it is equally important to conduct awareness programs for patients, who are referred to as the “Subject of Care,” to ensure they fully benefit from NABIDH.

Understanding NABIDH Compliance Requirements

Before delving into the awareness programs, let’s first grasp the fundamentals of NABIDH compliance. NABIDH serves as a centralized platform for storing and exchanging health information, enabling seamless access to relevant patient data across different healthcare providers. The Dubai Health Authority plays a crucial role in defining and enforcing NABIDH compliance, aiming to enhance patient care and facilitate efficient information sharing among healthcare stakeholders.

Subject of Care (Patients) – Basic Details

As the primary beneficiaries of NABIDH, patients, or the Subject of Care, have specific rights and expectations regarding their health information. Here are some key aspects related to the Subject of Care:

Access to Relevant PHI in Readable Format:

Patients should have the ability to access their relevant Personal Health Information (PHI) stored within NABIDH in a readable form, including electronic formats.

Convenient Availability of Subject of Care Health Information: Subject of Care Health Information should be readily accessible to patients, ensuring ease of retrieval and review.

Affordable Accessibility of Subject of Care Health Information:

Access to Subject of Care Health Information should be affordable, eliminating financial barriers for patients seeking to obtain their medical records.

Uploading Clinical/Laboratory Documents into NABIDH:

Patients should have a provision to upload clinical or laboratory documents into NABIDH for any treatment received from healthcare providers outside the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE. This is typically available in any NABIDH compliant EMR that will be used by the healthcare facility.

Responsibility of Subject of Care in Uploading Documents:

It is the responsibility of the Subject of Care to ensure the correct clinical or laboratory documents and information are uploaded through the designated portal for treatments received from external healthcare providers.

Direct and Secure Access to Relevant PHI:

Subjects of Care should have a means of direct, secure access to their relevant PHI, without requiring physician or institutional mediation. This can be facilitated through Subject of Care Portals or other approved services.

Supplementing PHI without Fees or Burdensome Processes:

Patients should be able to supplement their PHI without facing additional fees or burdensome administrative processes, promoting an active role in managing their health information.

Complaint Process for Breaches:

Clear rights and processes should be established to address complaints in case the Subject of Care suspects a breach of their health information.

Guidelines for Subject of Care Compliance

To ensure Subject of Care compliance with NABIDH requirements, the following guidelines should be followed:

Compliance with DHA Regulatory Requirements:

Healthcare facilities must adhere to relevant DHA regulatory requirements concerning Subject of Care rights and responsibilities.

Providing Information to Subject of Care:

Healthcare providers should make every effort to provide information to the Subject of Care during their first visit to the facility following their participation in NABIDH.

Concise, Transparent, and Accessible Information:

The information provided to the Subject of Care should be concise, transparent, intelligible, easily accessible, and communicated using clear and plain language.

Procedure to Opt Out from NABIDH:

Patients should be informed about the procedure to opt out from NABIDH if they choose not to participate in the electronic health information exchange.

Informative Materials about NABIDH:

Informative materials regarding the NABIDH platform should be provided to the Subject of Care. These materials should explain the purpose of health information exchange, its benefits, how health information is protected, how it can be used, the retention period of health information, and contact information for obtaining more information from NABIDH.

Awareness about Health Information Usage and Disclosure:

Subjects of Care should be made aware of how their health information could be used, who may have access to it, and under what circumstances it could be disclosed, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.

Education Programs for Understanding NABIDH:

Significant education programs should be implemented to help individuals understand how NABIDH operates, what information will be available on the platform, the value of NABIDH, its privacy and security protections, how to participate in the exchange, and the rights, benefits, and remedies available to them. A Subject of Care portal should also be introduced to facilitate access to personal health information.

Staff Training Program for NABIDH Compliance

A robust staff training program is essential to ensure healthcare professionals understand and comply with NABIDH requirements. The program should include the following elements:

Formulating a Training Program:

Develop a comprehensive training program that covers the intricacies of NABIDH compliance and its significance in delivering quality patient care.

Incorporating DHA Guidelines: Ensure that the training program incorporates the guidelines provided by the Dubai Health Authority, covering the rights and responsibilities of the Subject of Care, handling of health information, and maintaining confidentiality and security.

Ensuring Staff Understanding and Compliance:

Conduct regular training sessions, workshops, and assessments to ensure staff members have a clear understanding of NABIDH compliance and are consistently adhering to the defined protocols.

Conclusion

By implementing effective awareness programs for patients and ensuring staff members are well-versed in NABIDH compliance, healthcare facilities can optimize the benefits of this electronic health information exchange platform. Enhanced access to patient information, streamlined care coordination, and improved patient outcomes are some of the potential advantages. As the healthcare landscape continues to advance, embracing NABIDH compliance becomes increasingly critical in delivering patient-centered care and promoting an empowered healthcare ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can patients access their health information from NABIDH in electronic format?
A: Yes, patients have the right to access their relevant Personal Health Information (PHI) from NABIDH in a readable and electronic format.

Q: Is there a fee for accessing Subject of Care Health Information through NABIDH?
A: The accessibility of Subject of Care Health Information should be affordable, eliminating financial barriers for patients.

Q: What should patients do if they suspect a breach of their health information?
A: Patients should follow the clear rights and processes provided by NABIDH to address any suspected breach of their health information.

Q: Are patients informed about the procedure to opt out from NABIDH?
A: Yes, healthcare providers should provide information to patients regarding the procedure to opt out from NABIDH if they choose not to participate in the electronic health information exchange.

Q: What is the purpose of the Subject of Care portal in NABIDH?
A: The Subject of Care portal provides patients with direct, secure access to their relevant PHI, empowering them to manage their health information effectively.