Tawam Hospital, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine, has announced that 65 per cent (5,585) of its ER patients, have been referred to the newly opened Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in the past four months, reducing the normal wait time for each patient.

Dr Robert Corder, chairman, department of emergency medicine, Tawam Hospital, said: “The Urgent Care Clinic, which has proven to be a huge success with the patients since its inception, caters to an average of 46 patients on a daily basis and we estimate approximately 70 patients will be treated daily in the near future.”

“UCC comes as part of Seha and Tawam Hospital’s commitment to the local community has improved access and responsiveness to patient needs,” he said.

The clinic was established to minimise wait times for Tawam’s busy emergency separtment and improve service for patients arriving at Tawam with symptoms typically seen and treated in the emergency room.

Patients referred to the UCC are those in stable conditions requiring urgent treatment for problems such as those with flu symptoms, ear pain and eye problems, wounds, sprains and fractures, rashes and sudden digestive issues.

“The Urgent Care Clinicis quickly becoming patients’ preferred destination for quality medical care and we have witnessed a significant growth in the number of self-referrals (daily average of five patients), where patients go directly to UCC without passing through the emergency department first. It is worth mentioning that children under 15-years comprise just under half (47.9 per cent) of UCC patients,” Dr Corder added.

Fully-equipped and staffed by a minimum of two doctors and three nurses at all times, the UCC has access to Tawam resources including the laboratory, X-ray and pharmacy services. The clinic is open from 4pm – 12am, seven days a week.

Tawam Hospital is part of the Seha Health System owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. – TradeArabia News Service