Doha, September 29 (QNA) - Hamad Medical Cooperation's Laboratories have been awarded the Laboratory accreditation of College of American Pathologists (CAP) , which is the world's most widely accredited laboratory as a gold standard in laboratory management internationally.

           HMC's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP) received this accreditation for the first time in 2014 as the recent re-accreditation process for the first time evaluated laboratory testing services at HMC's point of care.

       Head of DLMP Dr. Ajayeb Al-Nabit said that the laboratory re-accreditation program provided by CAP includes more than 3,000 criteria used during laboratory assessments to help laboratories stay in compliance with internationally recognized standards.

     She added in a press statement that the DLMP's approval of CAP confirms its commitment to provide the highest levels of care services for patients in the State of Qatar.

       DLMP comprises nine facilities in different areas in Qatar and provides services to the Hamad Medical Corporation's 12 hospitals. It conducts more than 17 million laboratory tests annually, including the required tests within the Blood Bank service. It also provides a full range of specialized laboratory services. The Department has seen an impressive year of achievements, it has been designated as a national influenza center by the World Health Organization (WHO). HMC is currently a member of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response, Providing recommendations in the field of laboratory diagnostics and vaccines and the effectiveness of anti-viruses as well as assessing the extent of the risk of pandemic outbreaks as an international alert mechanism in the presence of influenza viruses that are likely to become pandemic influenza.

       Acting Medical Director at HMC Dr. Abdullah Al Ansari said that the international accreditation is part of HMC's vision to accelerate the pace of development and change throughout the organization.

      He said: "Accreditation is an important measure of laboratory quality standards and HMC asserts that the quality of the services provided by the DLMP simulates their counterparts in the world's leading laboratory and medical facilities. (QNA)