DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is marking today’s World Heart Day by promoting the importance of collaborations between patients, families and healthcare professionals through celebrating the recovery of an infant diagnosed earlier this year with a rare, complex heart defect.
Now eight months old, Mia O’Sullivan (pictured), was referred to Paediatric Cardiology at HMC’s Hamad General Hospital (HGH) in April, following a routine check-up that highlighted an abnormal heart sound. The infant was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot — a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth, which requires urgent surgical treatment.
Upon hearing the diagnosis, Mia’s parents — David and Lisa O’Sullivan, who are from Ireland, were initially terrified but later credited staff at HGH for giving them the necessary information along with high quality care and the empathy they needed to get through what they called a frightening situation.
“From the moment we stepped inside the doors of Hamad General Hospital, our concerns about Mia’s care were no longer an issue. The staff not only showed empathy and genuine care towards us, but they also gave me and my wife the knowledge required to help Mia be healthy now, and for the rest of her life,” said O’Sullivan.
Dr Ahmad bin Sallehuddin, Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at HGH, explained that ensuring his whole team interacts effectively with the families of young patients, from the first point of contact throughout consultation, treatment and discharge, has a notable effect on the patient’s healthcare outcomes. Dr Sallehuddin also highlighted the importance of patient and family willingness to interact and work with their healthcare team.
“It is best practice to forge good partnerships with the parents of our young patients. Doing so minimises unnecessary delays or problems; therefore, treatment can be timely and at its most effective,” he said.
Dr Sallehuddin stressed that partnerships have to work both ways for them to be at their most beneficial. “As doctors we appreciate information sharing and timely cooperation from the parents of our patients – this really has a positive impact on how effectively we can administer care. At the end of the day, we both have the same goal; to see a healthy and happy child go home with their family.”
HMC’s Paediatric Cardiac Surgery department specialises in the surgical treatment of congenital heart disorders or defects in children. Each year, the department treats over 150 infants, children and adolescents, providing advanced heart care based on international best practice treatment options.
The Peninsula
