Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, received the official Accreditation Canada Diamond Level Status during a ceremony held at the hospital’s headquarters in Doha Tuesday. 

Aspetar has been awarded the Diamond Level Status under the Qmentum International Accreditation Programme, an internationally recognised system that focuses on quality and safety throughout all aspects of an organisation’s services, including governance and leadership, direct care and infrastructure. 
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Stefanie McCollum, Canada’s ambassador to Qatar.
Aspetar is the first hospital in Qatar to be awarded this coveted Diamond Level Status, it has stressed in a statement.
Prof Jan Ekstrand, Aspetar’s chief medical officer, said on behalf of Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, director-general of Aspetar: “The ceremony is a celebration and recognition of the hard work and commitment of our staff to implement globally recognised accreditation standards. The diamond award is the highest level of accreditation award possible under the programme and is only awarded to highly committed and quality-oriented organisations that use the very best practices across their services. 
“To reach this milestone as we celebrate 11 years of patient safety and quality improvement is a wonderful achievement for everyone involved.”
Ambassador McCollum added, “This is a significant accomplishment by Aspetar and I offer my congratulations to Mr al-Suwaidi and his team. This achievement also demonstrates how Canada is currently supporting Qatar in meeting its goals outlined in vision 2030 and Qatar’s National Health Strategy.
“Health sector co-operation between Canada and Qatar remains one of the most brilliant examples of partnership between the two countries. Among the over-9,000 Canadian expatriates living in Qatar, a considerable number of them work in the health care sector in the country, and we are proud of their contribution.”
The award “cements the hospital’s standing as an elite healthcare provider locally, regionally and internationally, particularly in the field of sports medicine. It also brings Aspetar one step closer towards its vision of being a global leader in sports medicine and exercise science by 2020”, the statement notes.
Aspetar adheres to a five-pillar patient safety strategy that comprises implementing leadership rounds, departmental safety huddles, safety forums, an online incident management system and a patient and staff engagement programme. 
Additionally, Aspetar has implemented all the required organisational patient safety practices that are part of the accreditation programme.

Related Story