Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) has launched Project Imagine, a novel framework to encourage innovation at all levels within the organisation.
Project Imagine is based on the concept of crowd sourcing innovation ideas that can lead to efficiency in work processes or patient care services.
It is the brainchild of Dr Deepak Kaura, executive chair, Foundation Medical Services and Dr Avez Rizvi, division chief, Centre for Medical Innovation, Software, and Technology at Sidra.
“Our approach to encouraging innovation from within is to make sure that all our staff have an opportunity to contribute ideas in an open, constructive and transparent process,” Dr Kaura said.
“These may be ideas that create efficiencies in work processes and care services, or they might be technology innovations that positively affect patient experience and outcomes.”
Ideas are generated by Sidra staff and a five-member Innovation Review Council determines the finalists, culminating in a Sidra-wide pitch day. Finalists pitch their ideas to staff who are at the event or watching via live stream. Attendees and live stream viewers vote for the idea they liked best or found to be the most useful.
Sidra chief executive officer Peter Morris, who attends the pitch days said, “Project Imagine is a way of harnessing the imagination and energy of our very talented and committed people and turn great ideas into action and patient benefit. We value innovation and the wealth of creativity in our people.”
Substantial early successes are already evident, including a number of innovative applications to enhance patient experience and provide better care for patients, families and staff. Some of the apps developed at Sidra are the first of their kind in the country and possibly the region.
With names such as Saffara, Code Blue and Sidra Stream the apps have been developed from scratch, with seven apps currently in use or ready for launch.