out-patient department (opd)

Arabel Fordjour
(Unit Head)

The outpatient department is the first point of contact for the majority of patients entering the hospital and provides patients with their first impression as they seek services at the hospital. A patient’s history and vital signs of blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature are obtained and documented. The staff includes a general surgeon, e.n.t specialist, gynecologist/obstetric specialist, medical officers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, ward aides and orderlies.

The outpatient department of the hospital provides diagnosis and care for patients that do not need to stay overnight. OPD offers a 24-hour service and is open throughout the week. The outpatient department is an important part of the overall running of the hospital. It is normally integrated with the in-patient services and manned by consultant physicians and surgeons who also attend to inpatients in the wards. Many patients are examined and given treatment as outpatients before being admitted to the hospital at a later time as inpatients. When discharged, they may attend the outpatient clinic for follow-up treatment. Wheelchairs and stretchers are available for non-ambulatory patients. Patients will register at the medical records reception desk and there is seating for them while they wait for their appointments. Doctors have a consulting room and there are smaller waiting areas near the consulting rooms.

Close at hand are X-ray facilities, Ultrasound scan, laboratories, the medical record office and a pharmacy. There is a dietician’s office, a public health office and a payment point at the outpatient department. The OPD has a public washroom for clients.

The outpatient department reception comprises of the following areas:

  1. Information desk
  2. Dressing room
  3. Health information
  4. Pediatrics waiting area
  5. Waiting area
  6. Consulting rooms 1- 7
  7. Scan room
  8. Injection room
  9. Diabetes clinic
  10. Sickle cell clinic
  11. Asthma and allergy clinic
  12. Hypertension and Diabetic clinic