Dr Hazem Elewa, associate professor and head, Clinical Training and Education at QU’s College of Pharmacy, alongside a team of experts, has been recognised with the Star of Excellence Award at the 11th Stars of Excellence event for his project titled “The First Anticoagulation Drive-up Service in the Middle East and North Africa Region.”
The honour was in the category of ‘Excellence in Health: Clinical Practice Award’.
The project represents a paradigm shift in the delivery of anticoagulation therapy, particularly in the context of Covid-19 pandemic.
The initiative aimed to address the challenges faced by patients requiring routine anticoagulation monitoring.
Dr Elewa and his team conceptualised the Anticoagulation Drive-up Service, offering patients the opportunity to undergo checks without leaving the safety of their vehicles.
This innovative approach not only mitigated the risk of exposure to infectious agents but also garnered widespread appreciation from both patients and healthcare providers.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, stringent regulations were enforced in Qatar to curb the spread of the virus, including social distancing measures and the adoption of telemedicine for outpatient consultations.
The implementation of the drive-up service aligned perfectly with these guidelines, ensuring continuity of care while prioritising patient safety.
The success of the drive-up service was further validated by a comprehensive evaluation of anticoagulation quality outcomes.
With high levels of patient and staff satisfaction, coupled with positive clinical outcomes, the Anticoagulation Drive-Up Service has now been established as the new standard of care, symbolising a significant milestone in healthcare innovation in the region.
Dr Hazem Elewa with the Star of Excellence Award.
