Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) new satellite facility in the Industrial Area aims at delivering safe and effective care to people who work and live in the area.
With the opening of Industrial Area Satellite Emergency Department (IASED), HMC has expanded its network of emergency care and would reduce the burden on tertiary care centers such as the Hamad General Hospital, said Dr. Aftab Mohammad Azad, Deputy Chairman, Corporate Emergency Department, HMC.
Minor cases such as small injuries, mild respiratory problems, mild abdominal pain and other mild conditions are being treated at the IASED. “It is the first of its kind facility to open in the country and it will enable those living and working in the area to access care at their convenience,” Dr. Aftab told The Peninsula.
“Minor emergency cases will be treated at the IASED. This will help reducing the pressure on Emergency Centres such as in the Hamad General Hospital, where very sick people can be treated,” he said.
The IASED saw the soft opening on July 9 and Dr. Saad Al Kaabi, HMC’s System Wide Incident Command Centre (SWICC) Committee chair with several other officials toured the IASED and learnt about its services and facilities. Initially IASED sees around 100 patients per day and it is expected to increase between 300 and 500 once the facility is fully operational. It also has separate patient pathway and dedicated area for COVID-19 suspected patients and a swabbing centre is also available near to the IASED.
“The new IASED is established in line with HMC’s mission to deliver the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to each and every one of our patients,” said Dr. Warda Al Saad, Deputy Chair Emergency of HMC. IASED has facilities, including 22 patient care spaces to see minor cases, two fully equipped rooms to stabilise acute patients before shifting to tertiary hospital, and three beds for patients who need observation. It also has 5 cubical beds, X Ray services, pharmacy services and laboratory services.
“Upon arrival and registration, patients undergo a brief triage to help determine the nature and severity of their illness. They will generally triaged by a nurse then be assessed and managed by an emergency doctor. On assessment if the doctor finds that the patient requires specialized care or consultation, then they will be referred to tertiary hospital for further management,” said Dr. Warda
