Rashid Hospital launches sleep labs, burns unit

Inaugurated by Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the units were added as part of the authority’s ongoing plans to renovate one of the oldest hospitals in the city.

The other changes include addition of central cardiac monitoring rooms and a refurbished neurosurgical ICU.

Al Murooshid said that this is one of the biggest renovation and expansion projects undertaken by the DHA. About 80 per cent of the project has been completed.

“Three years ago, we had 380 beds. Now we have about 600 beds. The number of patients visiting the hospital has drastically increased and we are keeping pace with this development to ensure we cater to the healthcare needs of our population, now and in future,” he said.

The neurosurgical ICU has been upgraded to be monitored by state-of-the-art computer devices that, Al Murooshid says, will be able to pinpoint exactly which part of the brain is suffering an attack.The burn unit has been fitted with eight isolation rooms equipped with an air-monitoring device to prevent infection among patients.

Dr Qassim Ahli, consultant and Head of the Plastic Surgery Unit, said 88 patients came in with burn-related cases in 2009 and the number this year to date is 40.

“Patients who would come in with burn-related cases were previously distributed (treated) among different sections in the hospital. Now this unit will focus entirely on these cases and provide patients with quality treatment,” he said. The ward is adjacent to the operation theatre, allowing staff to reach and treat patients more effectively.

Among the medical items added, a modern anti-bacterial dressing consisting of silver and silicone is now being used on burn wounds. “It helps in fast healing and is much more comfortable for the patient as we don’t need to change (the dressing) daily (in case the patient is in a fragile and sensitive state). The dressing lasts two to five days.”

The sleep lab has been designed to mimic the patient’s home and the sound-proof environment offers a relaxing situation for a person with sleep apnoea.

farhana@khaleejtimes.com