The Stroke Service at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently achieved Joint Commission International (JCI) re-accreditation as a primary stroke centre.

This achievement across the whole spectrum of the service was recognised in April 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first of its kind to be done virtually at HMC.

The Stroke Service at HMC was first accredited by JCI in November 2014 as the first-ever Primary Stroke Center in the Middle East. The service was re-accredited in 2018.

HMC Neurosciences Institute Acting Director Dr Ahmed Own said he was proud of how teams across the entire Stroke Service developed and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. The service now encompasses patient care from the Ambulance Service through the Emergency Department and to the inpatient Stroke Unit, Medical Units, Intensive Care Units, and to an outpatient Stroke Clinic at Hamad General Hospital (HGH).

Neuroradiology, Interventional Radiology, Therapy services, Dietary services and Acute Rehabilitation Services are also integral parts of the stroke team. All these teams work collaboratively to ensure the best care is delivered to each stroke patient.

Over the past decade, the Stroke Service at HMC has made significant improvements in the way in which it delivers care to patients. Within the last year, more than 2,500 patients have been admitted, of which more than 1,500 of these were confirmed stroke.

HGH Medical Director Dr Yousef Al Maslamani commended the team on their reaccreditation. He also emphasised that the re-accreditation was made even more difficult during the pandemic.

This is an exceptional achievement by the Stroke team at a time of unprecedented challenge.

It is testimony to their outstanding multi-disciplinary team working and dedication to stroke patients, and we are proud to host such an excellent service.

Despite the impact of COVID-19 in Qatar and the effect on the HGH Stroke Service, it has continued to provide safe and effective care to all patients admitted with suspected stroke.

And because of the imposed pandemic restrictions, JCI had to be virtual for the first time in the history of HMC.

The teams, led by HMC Stroke Service Head Dr Naveed Akhtar, include Neuroscience, Nursing, RACS (Regulatory, Accreditation and Compliance Services), Quality and Patient Safety, and Health Information and Communication Technology (HICT). They all worked together to achieve completion of the lengthy two-day accreditation process. The JCI team interviewed select members of the staff during the process and was impressed by the professional attitude and level of care provided at HGH.

The JCI consultant also performed thorough assessments in every category and gave very positive feedback when awarding the accreditation.

Stroke remains one of the highest causes of death and disability. It is important to recognise acute stroke in time and as early as possible so that acute care can be effectively provided. The damage can be greater if the time between stroke onset to medical intervention is delayed.

For more information about the HMC Stroke Service, visit hamad.qa


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