Hemas becomes Sri Lanka’s only hospital to be re-accredited with ACHSI 3 times in a row

• The re-accreditation under ACHSI’s ‘EQuIP 6’ further solidifies its top position in patient safety
• Wins Global Award for Accreditation Pre-assessment Report Submission

Reaffirming its commitment to upholding healthcare standards and patient safety, Hemas Hospitals was once again awarded full re-accreditation by the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) for the third consecutive term.

This prestigious standard, one of the top healthcare accreditation bodies in the world, has been bestowed on the hospital for another four years – until end 2024. Hemas Hospitals also went on to bag another major accolade by winning the Global Award for ‘Accreditation Pre-assessment Report Submission’ proving its consistency in quality healthcare delivery. 

Hemas Hospitals becomes the first multi chain in Sri Lanka to be re-accredited under the sixth edition of the ACHSI Evaluation and Quality and Improvement programme (EQuIP 6), showcasing its continued adherence to processes and controls, from the moment the patient enters the hospital and until discharged. Both the Hemas hospitals at Wattala and Thalawathugoda are now internationally accredited with this latest international hospital standards. 

The gold standard in healthcare, now in its third cycle reflects the group’s vision as being the country’s top healthcare provider through advanced healthcare and strict compliance to the accredited processes and controls. This has helped Hemas Hospitals put patient safety at the forefront of all its services.

According to Hemas Hospitals Managing Director Dr. Lakith Peiris, Hemas Hospital is characterised by a dynamic team of professional medical and nursing staff who are dedicated to ensure patient safety and excellent clinical outcomes. “When we first received the ACHSI certification in 2011 as Sri Lanka’s first internationally accredited hospital chain, it was a significant boost to not only our team but the entire hospital industry as this raised the bar in terms of promoting a quality centred culture and patient safety. The accreditation enabled healthcare providers like ourselves provide services based on scientific knowledge and evidence-based guidelines while minimising risks and harm to patients throughout the care delivery process.”

The globally recognised standard, evaluates excellence at every touchpoint of services, starting with admission at reception to clinical, examination, diagnosis and medical care by the entire team from consultants, medical officers nurses and paramedics. The stringent accreditation audit evaluates adherence to international standards under 47 criteria assure safety and performance, encompassing products, people, processes, facilities and supply chains through verification, assessment, training and services to create superior stakeholder and customer trust.  “Achieving an international healthcare accreditation is not an easy task, and maintaining it is even tougher. We consider this second consecutive reaccreditation as one of the major success stories of the entire team. The latest ACHSI EQuIP 6 program only drives clinicians and our organisation to raise the bar of Sri Lankan healthcare in total care delivery process, patient safety and clinical outcomes while introducing global best practices. It also strengthens the connection between clinical and non-clinical departments across our hospitals in delivering patient centric care and superior clinical outcomes consistently,” Dr. Peiris remarked. 

He further added that to patients, the accreditation is a vote of confidence and a reassurance from experts of Hemas Hospitals’ ability to provide maximum safety and global best practices in care. This results in reduced length of stay, faster recovery for the patient and reducing the cost of treatment. 

The principles upon which the ACHSI programs are developed reflect the characteristics displayed by an ‘improving organisation’ including consumer focus, effective leadership, continuous improvement, evidence of outcome, and striving for best practice.