Several corrective measures and effective management practices have been initiated after Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb’s GB Hospital visit. Deb visited the Hospital on September 02 after series of reports pertaining to lapses and failures in Covid19 treatment at the Hospital came to fore.
During his visit, the Chief Minister gave specific instructions and directed the concerned authorities to healthcare delivery system. And, concerned authorities started taking corrective steps immediately.
His orders and suggestions, among several other issues, included adequate supply of oxygen for Covid19 patients, medical checkups along with availability of experts and senior doctors in Covid wards, cleaning, uninterrupted supply of water, prompt removal of corpses, adequate supply of essential medicines, installing of CCTV in Covid wards and tele-conferencing between patients and specialist doctors etc.
Following the instructions of the Chief Minister, concerned authorities have already taken actions to smoothen and augment the quality of treatment.
According to officials the Chief Minister gave the following instructions in specific :
Deb said, Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) would keep to 2-3 water tankers standby at AGMC & GBP hospital daily so that there is no water scarcity.
Oxygen supply lines should be checked and if any fault is detected, should be rectified without delay. Sufficient pressure of oxygen should be maintained at all the times.
Strength of doctors and nurses will be increased for proper management of COVID-19 patients. Doctors are to be engaged on voluntary basis. If required additional nursing staff would be posted in Covid wards by pulling from other wards. Volunteers and floor managers will be provided in all Covid wards to assist the patients.
Rules of engagement of Senior resident doctor will be examined by Directorate of Medical Education so that senior residents can be recruited easily.
Separate dedicated team of senior specialist doctors and experts should be formed to visit serious patients daily.
Separate action plan will be formulated for taking care of mental health of Covid patients.
Covid ward at NTH-1 building will be made functional immediately. Renovation works of Jayanti block shall be completed on urgent basis so that Covid ward can be started there too.
Additional casual workers will be provided for proper cleanliness and for proper handling of dead bodies.
Pending payments of casual workers will be cleared without delay.
Patients who have completed 14 days under observation at Dedicated COVID Hospital should be released.
The CT scan machine will be made functional and the pending bills of CT scan machine should be cleared promptly.
Report cards/ case sheets of patients should be updated daily. Doctors on round should give daily observation on the case sheet. These case sheets should be shared with Health Directorate.
Sufficient stock should be maintained for all necessary medicines. If required, supply orders may be placed in advance.
Microphone facility will be provided at all Covid hospitals and COVID Care Centres.
Security in-charge will give daily report about security situation at GBP hospital to Joint Director, Health.
A daily report is being sent by health department to Government regarding the action taken so far on these points.
Actions taken, so far
In pursuance with the directions given above, most of the actions have been taken already. Covid wards have been made operational at NTH-1 building. Jayanti block has been handed over to PWD for converting it into Covid hospital. Additional manpower such as doctors, nurses and supporting staff have been posted in various Covid wards. The number of casual workers has been increased to maintain proper cleanliness.
Doctors and nurses are taking daily rounds of Covid patients on taking personal preventive measures. A specialist doctor is included in every healthcare team deputed inside Covid wards, enabling patients to avail of specialist advice on matters related to their individual health condition and dietary requirements.
On the instruction of the Chief Minister, a team of Special Doctors has also been constituted now.
This apart, through the teleconferencing facility introduced, patients can interact with specialist doctors of different clinical specialities and obtain their advice. The teleconferencing is being held every day without exception.
Actions have also been taken to introduce Public Address system to further strengthen the teleconferencing facility and doctor-patient interactions.
C. C. cameras have been installed everywhere inside Covid wards to keep a close tab on cleanliness and patient care services within the wards.
Sufficient sweeping and cleaning staff have been employed in the wards, and the RMO of the hospital has been assigned overall responsibility to ensure proper cleaning and sanitation. Patients’ families are being kept informed of the patients’ health condition and their queries are being answered.
Order has already been placed for procuring a dead body carrying van.
An officer has been specifically designated as Nodal Officer to oversee Oxygen Supply and Management. Oxygen pressure is being monitored continuously ensuring constant maintenance of the requisite pressure level. Process is underway to install and commission another Oxygen Supply System in the Jayanti Block of the hospital.
A water tanker has been placed by the AMC on standby at the hospital as a backup water-supply system to overcome any exigency.
Dialysis facility has been set up for the Covid-patients requiring dialysis. There is no shortage of pulse oximeter, digital BP and other essential medical devices in the Covid wards.
The concerned supplier-firm has already been contacted for repairing the dysfunctional CT Scan machine.
Acting on the instruction of the Chief Minister bed-capacity for Covid patients has now been increased in the NTH-I building from 11 to 130.
