The Chennai based First Med Hospitals, promoted by Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, has received ISO 9000: 2000 certification for its documentation and systems.

The scope for certification includes the medical, surgical, obstetrics and gynaecological areas, diagnostic and support services including Documentation Based Care (DBC). Implementation of the process was started in June 2003, and the hospital spent over 500 man-hours on training the staff on quality systems with international standards, said sources. They said the certification, valid for three years, was for the high level of documentation that has gone to set up high standards in quality.

Commenting on the certification, Preetha Reddy, managing director, Apollo Hospitals said people have accepted the First Med Hospitals as a quality, affordable and value for money healthcare brand. The hospital had been working towards streamlining procedures to set up high standards in quality and service, and continuously worked on patient feedback to meet their needs and requirements.

First Med Hospitals, the trauma care arm of Apollo to offer immediate secondary care treatment in case of emergencies such as accidents, heart attack, poisoning etc. has over 25 specialties, including a fully equipped ICU, four operation theatres and a 9 bed ICCU, birth suites with neonatal ICU etc.