The Asian Eye team headed by president Joaquin Quintos IV (8th from left) together with ACI health care improvement advisor Dr. Ali Hojjati and healthcare consultant Dr. Patricia SomersAsian Eye Institute formally received its certification for Diamond level accreditation from Accreditation Canada International’s (ACI) Qmentum program. Asian Eye is the first and only ambulatory eye care facility in the Philippines to receive such recognition.

The ceremony was held at Asian Eye’s Phinma PlazaRockwell Center Makati clinic. Health Standards Organization (HSO) program manager and ACI health care improvement advisor Dr. Ali Hojjati and ACI healthcare consultant Dr. Patricia Somers presented the certificate to Asian Eye president Joaquin Quintos IV and senior vice president and chief for customer services Dr. Patricia Dimanlig-Manuel.

The Diamond level accreditation is the highest award given by ACI. In May 2022, the ACI team went to Asian Eye’s Rockwell Center Makati clinic to evaluate the institute using Qmentum. This program involves a set of standards based on quality, safety, risk, management and ethics of medical and support services.

The award serves as an added boost for Asian Eye as it celebrates its 22nd anniversary.

“The Diamond level accreditation signifies that high-quality care and safety are our top priorities, especially during the COVID pandemic and even more so now as our schools and tourist spots open up,” said Quintos. “I am grateful for all Asian Eye leaders, employees and community partners for working hand in hand with us to make safe eye and vision care possible.

“Rest assured that we will not rest on our laurels. This achievement will serve as a challenge for us to maintain our standard of care and find innovative ways to elevate the eye care experience we offer to our patients,” he added.

ACI is internationally recognized for promoting excellence in health care. Its Qmentum accreditation program makes use of evidence-informed standards developed by HSO. These standards are endorsed by the Standards Council of Canada as the National Standards of Canada and are designed and localized to be used around the world. With three levels—Gold, Platinum and Diamond—ACI awards facilities in accordance with the quality of service and care provided to patients.

In his remarks, Hojjati explained that while it is already a feat to achieve the Diamond level accreditation, it will be a bigger challenge to maintain it. He pointed out that this is where “qmentum” comes in, where quality meets momentum to ensure that organizations are equipped to keep the momentum when it comes to their efforts to improve the quality of their services.

Asian Eye was a three-time recipient of ACI accreditation. It embarked on the journey to excellence in health care in 2010. It received two Platinum level accreditations in 2011 and 2017 and one Gold level accreditation in 2014.

(Story/Photos by: Aizel Maquimot)