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Doha: A medical team led by Dr. Abdullah Al Ansari, Deputy Chief of Medical, Academic and Research Affairs for Surgical Services at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is piloting an advanced model of acute care surgery at Hamad General Hospital (HGH), as a progressive approach to specialization and consultant-based management care for patients.
A multi-disciplinary team of surgeons and clinical experts will provide emergency acute surgical care to patients and make early prognosis decisions on each case received. The experts will also map out treatment plans and refer patients to operating theaters or inpatient wards for further treatment.
Dr. Al Ansari stated that: "This initiative comes as part of HMC's plan to establish separate facilities for various surgical subspecialty services. We began with urology, breast, gastrointestinal and endocrine surgeries, in addition to organ transplants. This acute care surgery service is the first of its kind in the region. It is being offered in the UK, the United States and Australia."
He stressed that the potential benefits of this concentrated and focused approach to acute surgical care includes greater surveillance by the patient's medical team from the moment they are admitted through to their discharge. "A great advantage of this new service is that the multi-disciplinary team of surgeons is available around-the-clock, thus allowing patient immediate access to care," continued Al Ansari.
"The acute care surgery section is a golden ring in the chain of HMC's surgical service development project, which started at various surgical sub-specialty services since I have been appointed Chairman of Surgery in 2009. We first started with urology surgery where we implemented a successful development project, and then proceeded to other surgery sections; firmly establishing advanced surgical sub-specialty services, including spine, breast, colon, liver, endocrine and trauma surgeries, in addition to organ transplants and robotic surgeries," stated Dr. Al Ansari. He continued to say that the acute care surgery program has been running successfully for more than one year now at HGH, thus encouraging the official inauguration of the program.
Dr. Mohamed Khairat, Head of General Surgery at HGH, said the section has introduced new surgical sub-specialties for the past five years. "The establishment of the acute surgical care section will provide timely diagnosis and management of various surgical cases and improve the quality of care being provided to patients. We also hope to eventually be able to free up more acute patient beds," said Dr. Khairat.
Dr. Salah Gehani, Consultant Surgeon and Head of General Surgery Training at HGH said the new program will help improve the quality of training provided to physicians on duty.
"Our surgeons perform emergency surgeries and act as a link between Emergency Department and sub-specialty surgical sections. The patient's treatment journey starts at the Emergency Department, where they will be seen, diagnosed and prepared for the surgery. Some cases, however, may need sub-specialty surgical services and intensive care units. This should be done within a short time span depending on the acuity of the case," said Dr. Hisham Al Johari, Consultant General Surgeon and Assistant Head of Acute Care Surgery section at HGH.
He added that the medical team can also decide if a patient needs an urgent surgery or not. Those patients who do not need surgery will be discharged from the hospital to free up bed space. These patients will be followed up at Outpatient Department.
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About HMC
HMC has been the principal public healthcare provider in the state of Qatar for over three decades and is dedicated to delivering the safest, most effective and compassionate care to all patients.
HMC manages eight hospitals, incorporating five specialist hospitals and three community hospitals. HMC also manages the National Ambulance Service as well as home and residential care, all accredited by Joint Commission International. While HMC continues to upgrade its facilities and services, it has also embarked on an ambitious expansion program, targeting the areas of need in our community.
HMC is leading the development of the region's first academic health system and is committed to building a legacy of healthcare expertise in Qatar. We collaborate with partners who are key experts in Qatar and beyond, including Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Partners Healthcare, Boston.
We are also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education - International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs.
For more information please visit: www.hamad.qa or contact Noimot Olayiwola, Media Project Manager Tel: (00974) 44390945; Mobile: (00974) 55568709; Email: nolayiwola@hamad.qa
© Press Release 2015
