Doha, 27 September 2021: Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Communicable Disease Center (CDC), which has been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, has been awarded Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care by Planetree International. It is the first infectious disease facility in the world to achieve this prestigious recognition for its work.
Planetree International is a not-for-profit organization that partners with healthcare organizations worldwide to transform how patient care is delivered. Its Gold Certification represents the highest level of achievement in person-centered care, based on evidence and standards. The team at the CDC underwent a rigorous virtual evaluation by the Planetree team in 2021 to achieve the Certification. There are currently 180 organizations worldwide that have completed Planetree Certification, of which 94 sites are Gold certified. The CDC is one of five HMC pilot sites in Qatar to achieve certification. Other HMC sites to receive this certification are Home Healthcare Service, the Private Nursing Service, the Ambulatory Care Center, and the Enaya Specialized Care Center.
Mr. Nasser Al Naimi, Deputy Chief of Quality, Center for Patient Experience and Staff Engagement and Director for the Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute, said, "the Gold level Planetree Certification is a truly remarkable achievement by CDC. The entire country has witnessed how they have delivered services to their best ability during the ongoing pandemic. The certification is only a testimony of that hard work. What is more commendable about this achievement is that CDC held on to the principle of Person-Centered Care even when dealing with a global crisis".
Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director of the Communicable Disease Center, said, "the staff have always prioritized patient experience and customizing the service for each patient, depending on their needs."
"COVID-19 challenged us in so many ways and impacted how we delivered care. At the CDC, we worked hard to ensure we met the needs of patients and their family members – many at their most vulnerable in this challenging time. Treating and responding to a complex virus-like COVID-19 underscores the necessity to keep patients at the center of care delivery.
To have our work at the CDC recognized by Planetree International demonstrates that person-centered care can be delivered in any circumstance – even during a global pandemic. However, this would not be possible without the support and involvement of members of our Patient Family Advisory Council, and I am thankful to them for standing with us throughout this journey."
Dr. Susan Frampton President of Planetree International commended the CDC on their achievement.
Dr. Susan Frampton President of Planetree International that has been at the forefront of the movement to transform healthcare from the perspective of patients for more than 40 years said the Planetree Certification is the only award that recognizes excellence in person-centeredness across the continuum of care.
“This Gold Certification demonstrates that Hamad Medical Corporation’s Communicable Disease Center is a healthcare facility where staff partner with patients and families, and where patient and family comfort, dignity, empowerment and well-being are prioritized as key elements of providing top-quality clinical care,” Dr. Frampton said. “At the heart of person-centered care is the concept that the patient, their family members, and the care provider are partners in the healthcare process. The team at the Communicable Disease Center have demonstrated their commitment to involving patients, family members and staff at every step of the way and they should be proud of this achievement, especially amidst a global pandemic.”
