EVIPNet (Evidence-Informed Policy Network) is a project initiated by the WHO which aims to produce evidence by way of research studies to aid decision makers in forming health policies in the country. The Institute of Health Systems Research (IHSR) is the focal point for EVIPNet Malaysia. The current focus area of EVIPNet Malaysia is on Patient Safety. Under this theme, several priority areas for research have been identified which are as follows:

Expert panel reviewers being briefed about the study
(Crystal Crown Hotel, KL on October 2-4, 2007)

Consultants and specialists involved in the study
(Crystal Crown Hotel, KL on October 2-4, 2007)

Study 1 - Title
Interdisciplinary Study of Patient Safety Incidents and Medical Errors in MOH Facilities.

Objectives

To study the magnitude of patient safety incidents in inpatient care of selected MOH hospitals through case note reviews

Current phase of project 
To research group is currently carrying out data analysis  

Study 2 - Title
Use of UK Screening Form for Inpatient Medical Errors.

Objectives
To study the feasibility of nurses implementing screening tools to identify adverse events.

Current phase of project
The research group is currently carrying out data management 

Principal Investigator
Dr Letchuman Ramanathan (email: letch98@yahoo.com)

Research nurses being briefed about data collection
(Sabah, April 21, 2008)

Research nurses being briefed about data collection
(IHSR - April 23, 2008)

Title
Interdisciplinary Study of Patient Safety Incidents and Medical Errors in Malaysian MOH Facilities.

Objectives

• To study the magnitude of medical errors in primary care of selected MOH facilities.
• To plan, design, execute and evaluate an intervention package to reduce the occurrence of incidents.

Current phase of project
The research group has completed baseline data collection and interpretation. A developed intervention package is being carried out.

Principal Investigator
Prof Khoo Ee Ming (email: khooem@um.edu.my)

Members of the research team finalizing their proposal
(DePalma Hotel, Selangor on April 17, 2007)

Proposal development for medication safety study
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on March 27, 2006)

Study 1 - Title
Medication Safety Processes in Selected MOH Facilities

Objectives
To review the magnitude, types and severity of medication errors in selected MOH facilities through medical record review

Current phase of project
The research group is currently in the final stage of data analysis and report writing 

Principal Investigator
Mrs. Zaiton Kamaruddin (email: zaiton.k@ihsr.gov.my)

Study 2 - Title
Secondary Analysis on the National Quality Assurance (QA) Indicators and Shortfalls in Quality (SIQ) Reports for Medication Errors and Near Misses.

Objective
To analyze existing quality assurance indicators and shortfalls in quality reports to trend medication errors reported nationwide and to evaluate strategies that had been implemented for improvement.

Current phase of project
The group is currently in the process of report writing 

Principal Investigator
Ms. Samsiah Awang (email: samsiah.a@ihsr.gov.my)

Dr. Maimunah A. Hamid introducing the Letter of Intent (LOI) for Patient Safety
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on November 27, 2006)

The research team working hard to refine their proposal
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on November 27, 2006)

Title
A Study on Safety Culture among Elective Surgical Operative Patients Admitted to MOH Facilities.

Objective
To assess the perception of patient safety culture among elective surgical operative patients

Current phase of project
The research group is currently in the stage of report writing.

Principal Investigator
Dr Roslinah Ali (email: roslinahali@hotmail.com)

Dr. Carol presenting the research proposal
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on November 27, 2006)

Title
Handoff Communication Processes in Patient Care in Selected MOH Facilities

Objectives

• To describe the handing off process in patient care in MOH hospitals
• To identify patient and doctors’ perception towards handoff communication and patient empowerment
• To describe patient's perception on patient autonomy and discharge communication processes in selected MOH hospitals

Current phase of project 
The study has been completed and the following reports have been produced:

Handoff communication process in MOH hospitals
Patient empowerment in Malaysia: The doctor's perspective
Patient autonomy and discharge communication in MOH hospitals
Research Highlight: Inadequate Discharge Communication

Principal Investigator
Dr Carol Lim (email : carolkklim@yahoo.com)

At one of the audited clinics with a reminder card used in the intervention
(October 22-25, 2007)

Study 1 - Title
Vaccine Storage Practices in Selected Private Practitioners in 4 states

Objective
To evaluate vaccine storage practices and the effectiveness of an intervention package among private health clinics in selected states.

Current phase of project
The research team has completed 4 audits and have produced the following report:

• Interim report: Vaccine storage in private practice

Study 2 - Title
Vaccine Storage Practices in Selected MOH Clinics

Objective
To evaluate vaccine storage practices in selected MOH clinics

Current phase of project
The research team is currently conducting data analysis

Principal Investigator
Dr Sheila Gopal Krishnan (email: sheilagk67@yahoo.com)
Dr HSS Amar Singh (email: amimar@pc.jaring.my)

Conducting audits at private clinics

Meeting to discuss technical aspects of the audits

Team building – designing nurses uniform

Feedback from nurses to the research team

Discussing study findings from the audit

Research nurses in preparation for fieldwork



Collecting & verifying documents required prior to field work




Research nurses on their way to the clinics to be audited

Research team meeting with consultants and specialists for feedback
(IHSR on November 1, 2007)

Title
Critical/Panic Values in Laboratory Results, Policies and Procedures in Selected Facilities.

Objective

• To identify laboratory tests to be included in the critical/ panic value list and results for immediate notification.
• To outline the procedures and processes to be put in place for notification of critical/panic values.

Current phase of project
Baseline data has been analysed and the following report has been produced:

• Improving the notification of critical results in MOH hospitals

An intervention has been implemented and the research team is currently conducting post-intervention data collection.

Principal Investigator
Dr Lily Manorammah (email: patologi@hkl.gov.my)

Dr. Tan Ee Hong introducing the dental safety research
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on November 27, 2006)

Discussion in progress
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on November 27, 2006)

Title
Improving Safety in Dental Health Settings

Objective
To identify sterilization procedures and costs involved in outreach teams.

Current phase of project
The group is currently in the process of data analysis and report writing.

Principal Investigator
Dr Tan Bee Siew (email: bsiew_tan@yahoo.com)

Dr. Lee Fatt Soon presenting his proposal on Patient Falls
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on November 27, 2006)

The research team in discussion
(Cititel Hotel, Penang on November 27, 2006)

Study 1 - Title
Falls in Older Patients in MOH hospitals.

Objective
To identify types, ratios, severity and contributory factors of fall incidences among elderly patients.

Current phase of project
The research group is in the process of data analysis and report writing.

Principal Investigator
Dr Lee Fatt Soon (email: leefshkl2@gmail.com)

Study 2 - Title
Audit on the Safety of Wheelchairs used in Selected MOH Facilities

Objective
To audit the safety of wheelchairs used in selected MOH hospitals

Current phase of project
The research group is currently in the stage of report writing

Principal Investigator
Dr Lee Fatt Soon (email: leefshkl2@gmail.com)

Dr. Sanjay of UM lecturing on Meta Analysis
(Systematic Review Workshop, Crystal Crown Hotel, KL on December 11-13, 2007)

Members of various research teams listening in on a lecture
(IHSR - December 10, 2007)

Regarded as one of the highest level of medical evidence, systematic reviews utilize methodical methods of identifying, selecting and evaluating results of relevant studies to answer specific research questions. EVIPNet Malaysia is employing the expertise of TrialStat SRS 4.0 web-based software which enables teams of reviewers to work collaboratively in real-time, no matter where they are. The data storage is centralised and is accessible at all times from anywhere. Status of reviews is updated up-to-the-minute, allowing progress monitoring of the reviews at any point of th review process. Users can upload bibliographical information as well as full articles in several standard formats. Once uploaded, the automated article progression feature allows concurrent screening activity to take place at multiple review levels, reduces errors and omissions in the screening process and automatically tracks reviewer conflicts. 

Training for conducting systematic reviews was conducted in December 2007. The individual systematic review groups are currently in the process of protocol writing. The following areas of interest are being studied to determine patient safety strategies and interventions that can be implemented in the Malaysian health-setting:

Research Area
Culture

Title
What strategies in patient participation prove effective in reducing patient safety incidences?

Principal Investigator
Dr Roslinah Ali (email: roslinahali@hotmail.com)

Research Area
Handoff Communication

Title
What are the most effective strategies to help inpatients understand about their diagnosis, treatment and care plan at discharge?

Principal Investigator
Dr Carol Lim (email : carolkklim@yahoo.com)

1.  Title : Survey of Primary Care Services
     Principal Investigator : Dr Nordin Saleh (email: nordin.s@ihsr.gov.my)

2.  Title : Health Systems Research Analysis
     Principal Investigator : Dr Nordin Saleh (email: nordin.s@ihsr.gov.my)

3.  Title : Compendium on Health Sector Reform
     Principal Investigator : Dr Nordin Saleh (email: nordin.s@ihsr.gov.my)

4.  Title : on the Effectiveness of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) in Managing Certain Diseases and Dental Problems
     Principal Investigator : Dr Hj Tahir Aris (email: tahir.a@ihsr.gov.my)

5.  Title : Patients’ Unvoiced Needs
     Principal Investigator : Miss Low Lee Lan (email: low.ll@ihsr.gov.my)

6.  Title : Project on Competency Matrix for Health Researchers
     Principal Investigator : Mrs Haniza Mohd Anuar (email: haniza.ma@ihsr.gov.my)

7.  Title : Quality Improvement Project: Drug Utilization Review
     Principal Investigator : Mr Ramli Zainal (email: ramli.z@ihsr.gov.my)

8.  Title : Quality Improvement Projects for NIA Indicators :

9.  Title : Data Mining on Cardiology Registry in Sarawak
     Principal Investigator : Mr Zulkarnain Abdul Karim (email: zulkarnain.ak@ihsr.gov.my)

10.  Title : COMPHEC – Costing in MOH Putrajaya Health Clinic
       Principal Investigator : Dr Rozita Halina Hussein (email: rozitahalina.h@ihsr.gov.my)

11.  Title : COMPRICASE – Costing in MOH Primary Care Services
       Principal Investigator : Dr Rozita Halina Hussein (email: rozitahalina.h@ihsr.gov.my)

Dr Michael Devlin, was invited as a consultant from the Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED) to facilitate a workshop on Policy Communication from 9-13 June 2008 at IHSR. The purpose of the workshop was to provide training on translating research evidence to communicable evidence for relevant policymakers to influence health policy changes.

Dr Andrew Kennedy from COHRED was also invited to Malaysia to deliver a plenary paper on "Strengthening of the National Health Research Systems" at the 11^th NIH Scientific Conference from 23-25 October 2008 at the Institute for Health Management, Kuala Lumpur . In addition he contributed to a symposia on EVIPNet and spoke on translation of research evidence into policy.

For more information, visit the EVIPNet Portal http://www.evipnet.org  or email us at evipnet.malaysia@ihsr.gov.my

This workshop was carried out from 9-13 June 2008 at IHSR and was chiefly to develop capacity of IHSR technical personnel towards policy communication for research. Additionally, several officers from Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Ipoh, Hospital Serdang and Hospital Likas with ongoing research projects with IHSR were invited to participate to produce policy communication documents as part of the workshop output. Also, as part of the COHRED initiative to promote Health Research Communication, COHRED and IHSR jointly sponsored 2 participants from the Hanoi School of Public Health, Vietnam.

The participants were briefed on the overview of approach to policy communication and the process/products and services for local context. The participants, divided into 6 groups, were guided through the process of translating their research findings into policy communication documents. There was also a dialogue session between researchers and policy makers on the first day of the workshop. During this interactive session the views of policy makers on ways to improve policy communication were sought. The policy makers imparted some ideas on possible ways to meet their needs and the kind of information they find useful for policy making.

The objectives of this workshop were:

• To expose participants to the context and approaches to policy communication
• To facilitate MOH in developing its approach for policy communication and the product/services that will achieve optimal results in Malaysia
• To develop documents for policy communication where participants will receive coaching and critique on their work

At the end of the workshop the following were achieved:

• Draft templates for use of the institute
• Policy communication documents drafted in the forms of policy brief and research highlights of each research project.

 A makeover of the IHSR lobby for the Policy Communication Workshop

Centre row from left : Dr Le Thi Kim Anh and Dr Le Thi Vui, our Vietnamese colleagues from the Hanoi School of Public Health, here to join us for the Policy Communication Workshop
Background: Mr Michael Devlin meeting other IHSR staff

Discussions amongst researchers
From left: Dr Maimunah A. Hamid, Dr HSS Amar-Singh, Dr Carol Lim, Dr Sondi Sararaks, Ms Sebrina Su, Dr Ainul Nadziha, Ms Low Lee Lan, Dr Siti Haniza, Mr Ramli, Mr Kumar, Dr Rozita, Dr Le Thi Kim Anh, Dr Le Thi Vui, Dr Azman and Mr Michael Devlin

Mr Michael Devlin, consultant from COHRED, facilitating the Policy Communication Workshop in IHSR

Mr Michael Devlin presenting his slides to the audience

Mr Abdul Ghani enjoying the Soto Ayam served during the morning tea break

Centre from left: Dr Le Thi Kim Ahn, Dr Le Thi Vui and Yg. Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Hj. Ahmad Razin Dato’ Hj. Ahmad Mahir, Director of the Perak State Health Department who was kind enough to attend the Workshop and to provide some valuable feedback
Background: Mr Zulkarnain Abd Karim

Deep in thought
From left: Dr Carol Lim Kar Koong - O & G Specialist from Hospital Likas, Sabah
     DrJunainah Sabirin - Deputy Director, Medical Development Division, Ministry of Health
     Dr Normah Khalid - Deputy Director, Planning and Development Division, Ministry of Health
     Dr Ainul Nadziha - IHSR

Policy makers having a chat during the afternoon tea break
From left: Dr Maimunah A Hamid - Director, IHSR, Ministry of Health
     Dr HSS Amar-Singh - Consultant Paediatrician, Hospital Ipoh & Head, Clinical Research Centre,  Ipoh)
     Yg. Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Hj. Ahmad Razin Dato’ Hj. Ahmad Mahir - Director of the Perak State Health
                   Department
     Dr Azman Abu Bakar - Director, Hospital Serdang
     Dr Kamaliah Mohamad Noh - Deputy Director, Family Health Development Division

Members of the ‘Physical Food Contamination in Hospital Food’ group
From left: Dr Abdul Kareem Abdul Rahman, Mr Ridzoni Sulaiman, Dr Siti Haniza Mahmud and Mr Ramli (Principal Investigator & Head of Healthcare Quality Research Division, IHSR)

Members of the ‘Client Charter’ group
From left: Mr Abdul Ghani, Mr Kumar Chandra and Mrs Haniza Mohd Anuar (Principal Investigator)

Members of the ‘Discharge Communication’ group
From left: Dr Ainul Nadziha and Dr Carol (Principal Investigator)

Members of the ‘Patient’s Unvoiced Needs’ group
From left: Matron Farrah Ong Abdullah, Ms Nor Izati Abdullah, Dr Azman Abu Bakar (Director, Hospital Serdang) and Mr Jonathan Sachs (attachment masters student, McMaster University, Canada)

Members of the ‘ACG’ group
From left: Mr Mohd Suhaimi Mohd Yunus, Mr Zulkarnain Abd Karim, Mrs Zaiton Kamarudin and Dr Rozita Halina Tun Hussein (Principal Investigator & Head of Health Financing and Economic Research Division, IHSR)

Dr Maimunah receiving a token of appreciation from our Vietnamese colleagues

Ms Sebrina Su giving away a parting gift to our Vietnamese colleagues

Dr Le Thi Kim Anh presenting Mr Michael Devlin with a souvenir from Vietnam

1. Health is Global : A UK Government Strategy 2008 - 13 Annexes

2. EVIPNet: translating the spirit of Mexico

On the 16^th to 20^th February 2009, IHSR hosted a Policy Brief Workshop organized by WHO. The workshop was conducted at the Grand Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur and involved participants from Malaysia and other EVIPNet Asia countries: Philippines, Lao PDR, Vietnam and China (Beijing, Shandong and Sichuan provinces). A consultant from McMaster University, Professor John Lavis was invited to give lectures and to facilitate group activities carried out during the 5 day workshop. Other resource persons from international organizations were also invited to facilitate the workshop. The objective of the workshop was to train EVIPNet Asia team members to develop policy briefs and the expected outcome was 1 policy brief per country team on the theme Equity and Access to Primary Healthcare. The 3^rd EVIPNet Asia Steering Group Meeting was conducted on the 20^th to 21^st February following the workshop.

Participants, facilitators and observers from the workshop

Participants listening attentively to the lectures

Professor John Lavis giving his lecture

The Malaysian team: Dr Roslinah Ali, Dr Kamaliah Mohamad Noh

and Professor Dr Khoo Ee Ming

The Lao PDR team and facilitator: Professor Göran Tomson (Medical Management Centre, Sweden), Dr Kongsap Akkhavong, Dr Chandoavone Phoxay, Dr Bounfeng Phommalaysith

The Vietnam team: Dr Ngyuyen Duc Thu, Dr Le Van Hoi and Dr Le Quang Cuong

The Shangdong team and facilitator: Dr Ma Yuanxin, Dr Jiang Baofa and Dr Kent Ranson (Alliance for Health Policy Systems Research)

The Sichuan team and facilitator: Ms Sebrina Su, Dr Wang Li, Dr Shenglan Tang (WHO) and Dr Hu Jinliang

The Beijing team: Dr Liu Xiuying and Dr Liu Ying

Discussions amongst the 3 china teams

Our Malaysian Secretariat: Ms Siti Suhailie and Mr Thiru

The Secretariat from WHO: Dr Reijo Salmela (Vice-chairperson of EVIPNet Asia)

and Dr Sunil Senanayake

Invited resource persons: Dr Hank Bekedam (WHO), Dr Lei Haichao (Ministry of Health Beijing), Professor Soonman Kwon (Seoul National University),

Professor Sally Green (Monash Institute of Health Services Research)

Professor Vivian Lim (La Trobe University) and Professor Sally Green (Monash Institute of Health Services Research) aboard the bus on the way to Saloma Bistro for dinner

Lovely ladies from the Philippines: Dr Cecilia Acuin and Mrs Rosa Gonzales at Saloma Bistro

Mrs Maylene Beltran from the Philippines sampling

the colourful assortment of food at Saloma Bistro

Dr Henk Bekedam and Dr Maimunah at Saloma Bistro

Dr Reijo Salmela (WHO) and Dr Tomas Pantoja (Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile) enjoying some local cuisine at Saloma Bistro

Day 1 of the 3^rd EVIPNet Asia Steering Committee Meeting

Secretaries for the meeting

Participants of the 3^rd EVIPNet Asia Steering Committee Meeting Day 1

Participants of the 3^rd EVIPNet Asia Steering Committee Meeting Day 2

EVIPNet Asia country team leaders: Dr Azman Abu Bakar (Malaysia),Dr Zheng Xinghua (Sichuan province),

Mrs Rosa Gonzalez (Philippines), Dr Lei Haichao (EVIPNet Asia chairperson),

Dr Reijo Salmela (EVIPNet Asia vice-chairperson),

Dr Kongsap Akkhavong (Lao PDR), Dr Jiang Baofa (Shandong province),

Dr Liu Xiuying (Beijing province), Dr Le Van Hoi (representative for Vietnam)