A NEW ORDER OF CARE
#RedefiningHealthcare
THE AFTERMATH OF CORONAVIRUS
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption for the global healthcare community. While the short-term implications of this global challenge are evident everywhere, the long-term consequences of the pandemic — how it will reshape healthcare as a whole — are still difficult to imagine. Making this ‘new normal’ a reality, our #HealthcareHeroes have gone above and beyond their call of duty. In this series, the frontline warriors of Ruby Hall Clinic Wanowarie answer some of the many questions you may have about how healthcare has changed. Standing as a symbol of hope, we’re #RedefiningHealthcare every step of the way.
1. UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, RUBY HALL CLINIC WANOWARIE HASN’T SEEN A SINGLE CASE OF CORONAVIRUS AMONGST STAFF OR PATIENTS. COULD YOU ZERO IN ON THE MICRO PLANS YOU UNDERTOOK TO HAVE ACHIEVED THIS FEAT ?
A: As a hospital, we were vigilant about the COVID-19 situation that was unfolding internationally – this was much before the lockdown was in India. We realised the world was becoming a playground for the virus and this was a wake-up call for all of us. We were willing to take proactive measures to ensure the situation would be under control so that patients continue to see our hospital as a haven of safety. Some of the measures we undertook were:
- Formed a dedicated COVID-19 task force for 100% implementation of stringent protocols in advance
- Created a single entry point for the hospital in place of two
- Arranged a screening desk for the entry of every patient, visitor and staff member with a two-stepped screening programme Restricted the entry of relatives and allowed only one family member for every critical patient
- Fumigated all open spaces including elevators, wards and sit out areas every two hours as per ICMR guidelines
- Divided pre and post-operative patients into surgical and medical wards
2. AT THE PEAK OF THE SURGE, WHAT WAS THE SINGLE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THE HOSPITAL ENCOUNTERED ?
A: At a time when Pune continued to see a rise in the number of cases, we aggregated the S’s of surge planning — staff, space and the system. Surge, in some sense, is a term of art in the emergency management world. Our biggest challenge remained the identification of asymptomatic patients while taking them in. In the month of April, we stopped undertaking elective procedures, but did not discontinue OPDs at any cost. With the most rigorous regulations in place, not a single patient or staff member has turned out to be COVID-19 positive thus far.
3. WHAT ACCORDING TO YOU WILL CHANGE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CARE FOR INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS ONCE NATIONAL BORDERS OPEN AGAIN ?
A: In comparison to other countries, say, the United States, China or the Eurozone, India has been both, fortunate and cautious, in preventing the contagious spread of the virus. As a hospital, we will continue to act responsibly in all processes, not only for the health of our staff but also for our international patients. Of course, there would be some additional measures such as the requisition for a self declaration form to be filled. Every patient will be thoroughly investigated for their travel history and current medical condition. For those coming in from a highly contagious country, we will be implementing a new residence programme for quarantine and physical distancing.
—————– Article By Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanowrie.
