Press Release Oct, 17 2008
More than 1200 licensed Nurses at SKMC
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City celebrates the Emergency Nurses Day on 17 October 2008
On Friday, October 17th, 2008, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), managed by Cleveland Clinic, will participate in the International Emergency Nurses Day celebrated around the world.
Since 1989, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) has set aside a day in October to celebrate Emergency Nurses Day, a day to honor emergency nurses for their commitment to patient care. Starting in 2001, the ENA expanded the celebration to devote an entire week to honoring emergency nurses, because one day is simply not enough to recognize all contributions made by emergency nurses.
This year, the Emergency Department (ED) and Khalidiyah Urgent Care Centre of SKMC are celebrating the day on Friday October 17th with educational booths set up at the new beach area on the Corniche Street and at the Marina Mall. The aim of this celebration is to get the public meet the Nurses who work in the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre.
The Nurses will be introducing their job, what they do and how challenging and rewarding their job can be. They will also be distributing some educational brochures and pamphlets about different topics such as driver safety; the importance of child restraints in cars; water safety for children and water craft safety; as well as heat exhaustion. These topics are considered vital to educate the public on because of the high numbers of cases received in ED around the world as a result of car accidents, drowning in beaches and children being locked in cars. In addition to that, nurses will explain to the public on what circumstances they should visit a primary health care centre, urgent care center or the Emergency Department and the different kinds of illnesses that each facility treats.
Linda Haskins, Director of Nursing at SKMC, stated that the Department of Nursing at SKMC is staffed by more than 1200 licensed professional nurses. Many hold academic qualifications such as a Master of Science in Nursing, Masters of Science in Health Care, Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Nursing Education, and certifications in specialized areas. SKMC Registered Nurses are required to do annual mandatory competency training and those nurses working in the Critical Care Areas hold certificates in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advance Life Support, and other unit based competency training. Education and professional development of all nurses is part of the Nursing leaderships strategy to ensure that nurses are empowered and supported to provide safe quality care to the residents of Abu Dhabi who seek care at SKMC. It is worth to mention that SKMC Nurses participate in mutual goal setting with patients, families, and groups in health promotion and health maintenance.
Brief on cases received in Emergency Department, Khalidiyah Urgent Care Center and the Primary Health Care Centers of SKMC.
- allergic reactions
- chest pain
- difficulties in breathing
- fever in young infants
- injuries from car accidents
- poisoning
- Medications overdose
- seizure
- serious broken bones
- serious burns
- serious cut wounds
- serious head injury
- severe abdominal pain
- vomiting and diarrhea in young children
The Emergency Department is located in the ground floor of Sheikh Khalifa Surgical Pavilion and can be reached at telephone number +971 2 6102000.
2. FOR URGENT PROBLEMS such as those listed below, patients should go to the new Khalidiyah Urgent Care Center (UCC).
- abdominal pains
- vomiting and diarrhea in adults
- coughs/colds/flu
- earache/sore throat
- eye problems
- mild-moderate asthma
- minor cut wounds
- Sudden back pain
- Sudden rashes
- sprains and minor broken bones
- urine problems
The new Khalidiyah Urgent Care Center consists of 19 modern treatment rooms, and a pharmacy. X-rays and some hematology tests will be performed at the center. The new center is located in Al Khalidiyah Area, first right after Al Khalidiyah Mall and can be reached at telephone number +971 2 6653475.
3. FOR GENERAL MEDICAL CARE as listed below, patients should go to the Primary Health Care Centers in Abu Dhabi which is nearest to your home, e.g. Al Ittihad PHC, Al Madina PHC, AlZafaranah … etc.
- acne, long-standing rashes
- asthma management
- diabetes management
- high blood pressure management
- long-standing problems for evaluation (joint pain, back pain, headache, abdominal pain)
- medication refills (note: refills will NOT be provided at the Emergency Department or Al Khalidiyah Urgent Care Center)
- physical exams for school or work
- requests for referral to specialty clinics
About SKMC
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), located in Abu Dhabi, UAE, operates under the management of Cleveland Clinic, named one of the top three hospitals in the USA by U.S. News and World Report. SKMC is owned by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, recently established to oversee operations of all public hospitals in the Emirate. SKMC is the flagship institution for the public health system in Abu Dhabi and has several 'Centers of Excellence,' and aspires to practice contemporary medicine comparable to the best hospitals and medical centers in the world. SKMC provides comprehensive health care services in all of the disciplines relevant to the needs and priorities of the community to attain the highest levels of patient satisfaction.
SKMC consists of a 550-bed Acute Care Hospital and 14 specialized outpatient clinics accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). In addition, SKMC manages a 120-bed Behavior Sciences Pavilion, a 90-bed Rehabilitation Center, 9 primary healthcare centers and 2 dental centers distributed over the city of Abu Dhabi.