The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi,DoH, the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has licensed 8 Emergency Care Departments across public and private healthcare providers, according to the recently announced standard requirements. The new reforms are designed to help facilitate patient access to the appropriate medical facilities, dependent on the medical emergency, in line with DoH’s ongoing efforts to ensure safe and effective services for patients’ of Abu Dhabi.
According to the new requirements, Emergency Departments have been re-evaluated and categorized into one of two distinct categories: Emergency Care Departments and Urgent Care Centres.
The reform identifies service requirements and criterion that all public and private healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi must fulfill in order to obtain the appropriate licensing.
Commenting on the new standard requirements, Mohamed Al Hameli, Undersecretary of DoH, said: "We maintain our commitment to providing Abu Dhabi’s residents with access to a fully-integrated world-class healthcare system, enhancing patient experience and putting patient at the center of care. With the new model for healthcare facilities’ Emergency Departments in the Emirate, will meet patients’ requirements and medical needs more efficiently, by identifying and providing appropriate and safe Emergency care services."
Following detailed audits, inspections, and the distribution of a circular to healthcare facilities in July 2018, DoH has fully licensed 8 emergency departments of the following private and public healthcare facilities: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Al Mafraq Hospital, Al Rahba Hospital, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Tawam Hospital, Madinat Zayed Hospital, Al Ain Hospital, and NMC Royal Hospital.
Based on the severity of the illness, patients in need of medical assistance will be able to access relevant healthcare facility. Patients suffering from acute, life-threatening conditions should head to Emergency Care Department, where emergency physicians will treat them with state-of-the-art equipment used for emergency resuscitation, surgery, and 24 hour-access to intensive care facilities.
Patients with illnesses and minor injuries can attend Urgent Care Centers, which will provide initial assessment, diagnostic treatment and referral as appropriate. These facilities will be available on a walk-in basis and operational around-the-clock, unless alternative working hours are pre-determined by DoH.
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