DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology has become the first integrated laboratory network in Qatar to have its laboratories accredited by College of American Pathologists (CAP).
Considered the ‘gold standard’ of laboratory accreditation, CAP certification demonstrates HMC’s high-standard quality assurance and quality control programmes as accreditation requires successful performance in stringent proficiency testing that encompasses record keeping, quality control procedures, staff qualifications, facilities, safety programmes and overall management.
Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, HMC, said: “Accreditation helps patients make informed decisions about their healthcare. When a healthcare organisation earns an international accreditation, the patient is assured the facility has met comprehensive, evidenced-based criteria benchmarked against international standards.”
Addressing the medical community during an event to celebrate the accreditation, Dr Ajayeb Al Nabet, Chairperson of the department, said the department underwent an extensive evaluation prior to receiving the accreditation. The department strives to achieve the highest operating standards possible, Dr Al Nabet said, adding the accreditation reflects the hard work and dedication of the staff.
“Our team of pathologists, clinical scientists and technologists collaborate daily on tasks that directly impact the lives of our patients. Whether testing to confirm influenza, screening newborns for potentially dangerous metabolic disorders or testing to diagnose and monitor treatment for cancers, we strive to achieve the highest operating standards possible,” said Dr Al Nabet.
“The accreditation ensures our testing procedures and results are as consistently reliable as possible. We are proud of the accreditation and our patients can be assured they are receiving the best and safest care.”
Accreditation is granted to laboratories that successfully apply rigid standards of quality in daily operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing and pass a rigorous on site survey.
As part of the accreditation process, CAP inspectors examined HMC’s laboratory plans, policies and standard operating procedures.
They also examined the qualifications of the department’s medical and technical staff, equipment, safety programme, records and overall management processes. the peninsula
