American Hospital Dubai’s Advanced Rehabilitation Unit treats first patient

The American Hospital Dubai’s new Advanced Rehabilitation Unit has treated its first patient – a UAE resident involved in a serious road accident who was admitted in a life threatening condition with multiple trauma injuries and requiring a multidisciplinary team to stabilize, treat and then manage rehabilitation. The accident took place in January 2016 and the patient is now mobile, self-sufficient and has returned home and to work, as he regains his previous quality of life. The new unit was formally inaugurated recently.

The patient, an Egyptian citizen residing in Sharjah, UAE since 1990, was hit by a motorbike and suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to an arm and leg, broken ribs and damage to internal organs including heart and lungs. Following emergency admission to the American Hospital Dubai, the patient underwent seven operations and spent 33 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a medically induced coma. After successful initial treatment, he was then transferred to the Advanced Rehabilitation Unit for rehabilitation. He received specialist rehabilitation nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech/language therapy, as part of his treatment at the hospital.

Staff from the unit also advised patient and family on a home program, to enable the patient (who is also diabetic) to live a normal life. He is now 100% independent.

The patient commented: “My family and I are very thankful for the very high level of care at the hospital, where the rehabilitation team took care to explain to the family in detail the rehabilitation process so we could make fast improvements to my condition.

The American Hospital Dubai opened its Advanced Rehabilitation Unit at its Dubai campus, to provide specialty care for patients requiring inpatient treatment for serious conditions such as multiple trauma, stroke or spinal cord injuries. The unit combines high-tech and high-touch to optimize the expertize of a multidisciplinary team. The holistic approach ensures care for the patient and their loved ones to help patients through their recovery and return to the highest possible quality of life and work.

The new Advanced Rehabilitation Unit is a dedicated facility with 22 private rooms and a multidisciplinary team of more than 20 staff, providing patient-centric therapy and comprehensive patient care under one roof.

Dr. Nazakat Hussain, Clinical Director of Rehabilitation Medicine at the American Hospital Dubai, commented: “The team is very pleased with Osama’s progress and is working to support his return to a normal life at home and work, with the help of his family. His very serious condition was a demanding test of our team’s multidisciplinary capabilities. Rehabilitation is a long-term commitment and our team aims to get the patient back into the family home and community, working with family members and other care providers, to help them adapt and support the patient.”