Jeddah:King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) in Jeddah has been awarded the Global Patient Safety Award in the Healthcare Organization category by Joint Commission International (JCI) for the year 2026. The award recognizes the hospital's development of the Safe Transport Evaluation Protocol (STEP) for high-risk care transitions, implemented by its Ambulance Services.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this recognition marks the inaugural year of the award and places KFSH Jeddah among only three winners worldwide in this category, selected from over 250 submissions by healthcare organizations and national health authorities across 32 countries.
The STEP protocol was developed in response to recurring issues observed by the Ambulance Services team. They noted that a significant number of patients were returning to the Emergency Department within seven days of transfer or discharge due to incomplete treatment, undetected deterioration after discharge, or omission of test results in their treatment plans. Implementation of the protocol has effectively reduced these returns from 24% to 9%.
The hospital's approach redefined patient transport as a critical component of patient safety, rather than merely a logistical step. Each transport request is thoroughly reviewed by a paramedic who examines the patient's electronic medical record, conducts an independent clinical assessment, reviews handover notes and diagnostic results, and considers input from companions and family members before the move.
Director of Allied Medical Services Hanadi Al Salmi stated that the award highlights KFSH's dedication to enhancing patient safety at every care stage, particularly during patient transfers between medical units, by improving team coordination and communication.
The Global Patient Safety Award is given to healthcare organizations outside the United States that excel in promoting safer, higher-quality care. Submissions are evaluated by an international panel of patient safety experts based on innovation, effectiveness, scalability, sustainability, and transferability to other organizations, criteria which the STEP protocol was designed to meet.
In 2026, KFSH was ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 12th globally among the world's top 250 academic medical centers. It was also recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East by Brand Finance and listed by Newsweek among the World's Best Hospitals, World's Best Smart Hospitals, and World's Best Specialized Hospitals for 2026.
