Home Healthcare Service (HHCS) by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Doha, Qatar has emerged as a leading service providing personalized care in the comfort of patients’ homes. Dr. Hanan Al Yazidi, Senior Consultant, Family Medicine, Home Healthcare Services, revealed that the teams from HHCS attend to over 3,000 pediatric and adult patients across Qatar. This service aims at offering holistic and specialized support to patients who have been discharged from the hospital but still require follow-up care and rehabilitation, thereby reducing the burden on hospitals as well as emergency department visits and re-admissions.
The Home Healthcare Service not only facilitates early discharge from hospitals but also offers medical and support services like wound care management and IV therapy within the patient’s homes. Referrals are received from various healthcare facilities within HMC and Sidra Medicine, and patients are assessed by nurses to determine their needs. Geriatric patients form the majority of recipients of Home Healthcare Service, while around 150 children primarily referred by Sidra Medicine also receive home care services. Each patient is assigned a dedicated doctor who is knowledgeable about their condition to provide timely and personalized care.
One of the major achievements of Home Healthcare Service is the 24/7 Patient’s Call Center, which offers clinical support for patients and their families, helping in addressing their concerns and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits. The service has its main office in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City, with satellite offices in Al Khor, Al Wakrah, Muaither, and Al Rayyan areas, catering to patients throughout Qatar. The multidisciplinary care teams, comprising doctors, nurses, dieticians, respiratory therapists, oral hygienists, and patient care assistants, conduct home visits to perform clinical examinations and review the care plan, with over 5,000 visits made each month between January and April 2024, according to HMC data.
The Home Healthcare Service has significantly transformed healthcare accessibility in Qatar by bringing quality medical care to the doorsteps of patients, promoting continuity and holistic well-being. By offering specialized support to patients post-discharge, the burden on hospitals is alleviated, reducing emergency department visits and hospital readmissions. The service also plays a crucial role in early discharge from hospitals, providing essential medical and support services like wound care management and IV therapy at the patient’s home.
With a focus on personalized care, Home Healthcare Service ensures that each patient has a dedicated doctor who closely monitors their condition, enabling timely interventions and addressing specific needs. The 24/7 Patient’s Call Center further enhances the service by providing clinical support and assistance to patients and their families, helping them avoid unnecessary hospital visits. With its multidisciplinary care teams conducting home visits for clinical examinations and reviewing care plans, Home Healthcare Service plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of patients throughout Qatar.
In conclusion, the Home Healthcare Service by Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar has emerged as a vital healthcare service, providing personalized care and support to patients in the comfort of their homes. With a focus on holistic well-being and continuity of care, the service aims at reducing the burden on hospitals, emergency department visits, and readmissions. Through its multidisciplinary care teams and 24/7 Patient’s Call Center, Home Healthcare Service ensures timely interventions and personalized care, transforming healthcare accessibility in Qatar.