11th IHI Forum Reinforces Collaboration, Safety, and Patient‑Centered Care

Organized by Einstein’s Education division and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Forum will bring together global leaders for discussions focused on collaboration and innovation to improve patient safety and experience.

With the theme “A Focus on the Patient: Connections That Transform,” the 11th Latin American Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare will take place from July 28 to 30. The initiative is promoted by Einstein Education in partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).

More than an event, the meeting represents a movement toward sustainable, inclusive, safe, and innovative healthcare, gathering global leaders, specialists, and decision-makers to debate and build solutions that impact lives.

According to Dr. Paula Tuma, Director of Quality, Safety, and Hospital Infection Control Services (SCIH) at Einstein’s Hospital Israelita, the theme emerges from a recurring discussion in the global healthcare landscape.

“Quality and Safety are the foundation of care, but the healthcare system is complex and requires structured collaboration. It depends on the patient, on those providing care, on supplies, among other factors,” she emphasizes.

She explains that care excellence is not the result of individual actions, but of well‑designed processes and constant collaboration.

This understanding has driven movements inside and outside institutions. Einstein participates in data‑sharing initiatives and Latin American collaborations focused on patient safety, reinforcing that advancing quality depends on collective work.

 

Data, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Focused on Value

Among the Forum’s subthemes are Data, Technology, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). For the Director, however, the debate must go beyond tool adoption and focus on real impact for the patient.

“To make assertive decisions, we need data—including population‑level data. But before launching AI projects, for example, we need to understand what value this will add to care through a careful analysis,” she warns.

 

Global Leadership in a Collaborative Environment

The Forum will bring together leaders from Latin America, the United States, and Europe, as well as the participation of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), a global organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality and Einstein’s strategic partner since 2015 on several projects.

“We want to create an environment with abundant learning. We are not seeking a forum where the speaker is on stage, and the audience only receives content. There will be extensive discussion and exchange,” highlights Dr. Paula.

The event will be held at the Albert Einstein Teaching and Research Center – Cecília and Abram Szajman Campus. The opening and closing keynote sessions, as well as selected sessions, will be streamed online.

Specific in‑person tracks will enable close discussions and direct interaction with speakers.

 

A Forum for Every Healthcare Professional

If in previous editions the event was primarily aimed at professionals in Quality and Safety, the audience has now expanded.

“Quality and Safety must be delivered by any healthcare professional. The Forum is for anyone who wants to provide excellent care,” the Director notes.

Among the Forum’s various tracks are those focused on specialties such as Oncology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Precision Medicine—always from the perspective of quality and patient safety. Additionally, some tracks will address leadership development.

 

Quality and Patient Safety as Institutional Identity

Quality and Safety have been part of Einstein Hospital Israelita’s history since its foundation.

“This topic is almost synonymous with Einstein. Even in times of crisis, decisions have always been grounded in these principles,” says Dr. Paula.

The partnership with IHI goes beyond the Forum. It represents a strategic umbrella that includes projects in Brazil and internal continuous improvement initiatives.

“The Forum is one part of this partnership. It demonstrates our commitment to collaboration in Latin America, in Brazil, and globally,” she adds.

 

From Theory to Implementation

Practical applicability is another central point of the meeting. In addition to theoretical foundations, models and implementation methodologies will be presented.

“Both IHI and Einstein have expertise in putting into practice what is discussed. We will demonstrate why something is done a certain way and how we implement it. The expectation is that participants return to their institutions with concrete ideas for transformation” states the Director.

 

Quality and Safety at the Core

Beyond technical concepts, Quality and Safety can be objectively understood, ensuring the patient has the expected outcome and the best possible experience.

This includes, for example, preventing hospital‑acquired infections, avoiding complications, ensuring treatments achieve the expected results, and providing a respectful, person‑centered experience.

“Anything that changes this trajectory—meaning any problem—needs to be analyzed, and the process needs to be rebuilt so that it does not happen to other patients. It is a living field of continuous improvement,” defines Dr. Paula.

Reinforcing the spirit of collaboration, the Director concludes that the Forum represents a collective call to shared responsibility.

“With the patient at the center and connections that truly transform, the Forum reaffirms that quality and safety are not differentiators, but permanent commitments,” she concludes.

Link: https://ihi.ensinoeinstein.com/