Establishment of a Comprehensive Health Monitoring System at the Iran Health Insurance Organization with a Focus on Risk Management and Patient Safety Literacy

Public Relations Department, Iran Health Insurance Organization (IHIO) – Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Nasehi, CEO of the Iran Health Insurance Organization, in a strategic meeting with provincial and headquarters directors, underscored the necessity of transforming the organization’s supervisory approaches. He emphasized the critical role of “Health Literacy” as a key tool for managing risks within the healthcare system and safeguarding patient safety.

Outlining the transition from a traditional “payer” model to an “active regulator,” Dr. Nasehi stated: “Managing health expenditures is not merely an economic issue; it is a cultural and safety imperative. In the process of strategic purchasing of services, we are mandated to prioritize patient safety indicators and the prevention of hazardous or unnecessary medical interventions as core criteria for evaluation.”

Advancing HSE Standards in Service Delivery

Highlighting the implementation of “Quaternary Prevention” requirements, the CEO of the Iran Health Insurance Organization noted: “From an HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) perspective, one of the greatest risks threatening patients is unnecessary medical intervention and clinical prescriptions lacking medical indication. These actions not only impose excessive costs on the healthcare system but also expose individuals to secondary medical risks. With the objective of reducing unnecessary exposure, the Health Insurance Organization will systematically review the standards of service delivery at all contracted facilities.”

Implementation of a Performance Evaluation System (Quality Scorecard)

Dr. Nasehi addressed the necessity of continuous monitoring of contracted facilities, adding: “To ensure safety and quality, a ‘Performance Scorecard’ will be developed for all contracted centers. In this monitoring framework, quantitative and qualitative service delivery indicators, adherence to treatment protocols, and compliance with mandated standards will be evaluated in a data-driven manner. The results of these assessments will serve as the primary basis for strategic decision-making regarding contract renewals and resource allocation.”

Awareness Raising: A Prerequisite for Sustainable Health

In conclusion, Dr. Nasehi remarked: “Improving public health literacy is, in effect, a preventive measure in the domain of public health. By empowering insured individuals to make informed choices regarding medical services, we are managing a significant risk within the healthcare system. Provinces are expected to meticulously document their interventions and monitoring efforts, transforming successful experiences in reducing unnecessary services into operational models. This approach will ensure the protection of patient health while guaranteeing the sustainability of the organization’s financial resources.”

[Editor’s Note]:

This news release is structured to communicate the organization’s new strategic roadmap focused on “Protecting Patients against Unnecessary Treatments” (Patient Safety Culture), which directly correlates with specialized HSE areas in healthcare facility management.