AL-MOUWASAT HOSPITAL in DAMMAM ACHIEVES ACCREDITATION FROM JOINT COMMISSION INTERNATIONAL

Dammam, Saudi Arabia - Al Mouwasat Hospital in Dammam has earned accreditation from Joint Commission International, the world wide leader in improving the quality of health care.

Joint Commission International's on-site evaluation of Al-Mouwasat Hospital in Dammam occured in December and was conducted by a team of international health care experts, including a doctor, nurse, and administrator.

"Health care organizations around the world want to create environments that focus on quality, safety and continuous improvement," says Karen Timmons, chief executive officer, Joint Commission International. "Accreditation meets this demand by stimulating continuous, systematic improvements in an organization's performance and the outcomes of patient care. The community should be proud that Al-Mouwasat Hospital in Dammam has made a commitment to quality and safety."

"We sought accreditation because we want to provide the best care possible for our patients," says Mr. Nasser Sultan Al-Subaie, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee. "Earning accreditation from Joint Commission International is another step toward excellence."

Mr. Nasser Sultan Al-Subaie notes that accreditation is attainable only through collaboration among all organization staff members. "Providing high quality care is a team effort and one that gives employees a feeling of prestige to work in an accredited organization."

Joint Commission International is dedicated to improving the quality of health care through voluntary accreditation. Joint Commission International's uniform, high standards for patient care and safety are designed to be adaptable to local needs, thus accommodating legal, religious and cultural factors within a country.

Standards focus on the areas that most directly impact patient care. These include access to care, assessment of patients, infection control, patient and family rights, and education. Standards also address facility management and safety, staff qualifications, quality improvement, organizational leadership, and management of information.