Doha: Five years ago this month Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Al Wakra Hospital (AWH) was designated as a Center of Excellence for Hernia Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an independent, patient-safety organization and the leading administrator of quality improvement and accreditation programs for surgeons and hospitals around the world.
Medical Director of Al Wakra Hospital, Dr. Sabah Adnan Al Kadhi has said that five years on he continues to feel proud of his facility for becoming the first hospital in the Middle East to receive the prestigious accreditation; worldwide, fewer than one percent of hospitals that perform hernia surgeries have earned the accreditation. Al Wakra Hospital has also received Center of Excellence accreditations from the SRC for its Urinary Stone Center and Bariatric Surgery Center.
“The Center of Excellence designation provides patients with the confidence that they are receiving the best possible care from physicians at an institution with a track record of safety and that rigorous standards for delivering safe, effective, evidence-based care have been met,” said Dr. Al Kadhi.
“Our physicians and staff have always placed patient safety at the forefront and obtaining this accreditation and re-accreditation reflect and reiterate our commitment to delivering high-quality surgical care. In bestowing the accreditation for our hernia surgery program, SRC recognized our team’s dedication to placing patient safety at the forefront,” added Dr. Al Kadhi.
Dr. Al Kadhi says Al Wakra Hospital, which performs upwards of 570 hernia surgeries each year has expanded its hernia surgery service since first being accredited by SRC. He says four years ago the advanced da Vinci Surgical System was introduced as part of the hospital’s robotic surgery program. The da Vinci Surgical System is considered a breakthrough in minimally invasive surgery, providing multiple advantages including a monitor that lets surgeons better see inside a patient, a steady robotic arm allowing for more precision, and a record of faster recoveries for patients.
“Many people in our community don’t realise the exceptional level of surgery skills, knowledge, and experience that we have at Al Wakra Hospital. I’m proud of the team we have built and the level of expertise we can offer our patients close to home,” said Dr. Al Kadhi.
“Our surgical program is continuing to expand as we remain focused on providing each patient with an individualized approach to their health problems. The introduction of the da Vinci Surgical System in 2016 has not only allowed us to perform more hernia surgeries but also to get our patients back to their regular life as quickly as possible – with less pain, smaller scars, and a faster recovery,” added Dr. Al Kadhi.
A hernia happens when part of an internal organ, usually the bowel, bulges through a weak area of muscle. Most hernias occur in the abdomen. Hernias are common, affecting men, women, and children. Most hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and straining, such as with heavy lifting. However, some people are born with weak abdominal muscles and may be more likely to get a hernia. Inguinal hernias appear in the groin and are more common in men than women. A ventral hernia, including incisional hernia, occurs at the site of a surgical scar and is common in patients who have had open abdominal surgery.
Healthcare organizations seeking accreditation, and reaccreditation, by SRC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site inspection process. Dr. Al Kadhi says the designation remains noteworthy for his hospital as it demonstrates a commitment to excellence and improving the health and well-being of patients.
“Earning this certification signifies our ability to consistently deliver the safest, highest-quality care to hernia surgery patients here at Al Wakra Hospital. It signals that our facility and surgeons are among the best in the specialty and are dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible,” added Dr. Al Kadhi.