Keeping in mind the needs of the patients, major government hospitals in the city have designed facilities like battery cars, spacious waiting sheds and water heaters.
Keeping in mind the needs of the patients, major government hospitals in the city have designed facilities like battery cars, spacious waiting sheds and water heaters.
With better infrastructure, the government hospitals in Chennai have turned like never before. Making hospitals patient-friendly is gaining priority among major hospitals, with institutions addressing the needs of patients and adding facilities such as battery cars, spacious waiting sheds and water heaters to wards.
The environment of government hospitals has changed drastically in the last few years. The challenges of managing the huge influx of patients and visitors are manifold – maintaining cleanliness, providing patient friendly environment, availability of infrastructure, reducing waiting time, prompt care etc. Nevertheless, several steps have been taken to ensure the convenience of the patients.
Based on public requests, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) has made MRI services available round the clock. “As MRI services were available from 8 am to 11 pm, we had requests from the public to extend the service so as to remove the need for waiting. Thereafter, we deployed a technician and this service is also available from 11 PM to 8 AM. During this time we get at least four or five patients, mainly with neurological conditions like stroke and seizures,” said E.K. Theranirajan, dean of the hospital, said.
Earlier, following the request of the patients, the hospital had installed water heaters and pantry on all the floors. Racks were set up to keep their belongings. “To address the complaints of insects and cockroaches, we are hiring pest control services and spending Rs 45,000 every month,” he said.
Signage was put up at various places, while two sheds are being installed to provide waiting space for the visitors. “Twenty-five new lifts have been sanctioned and ₹7.5 crore has been allocated. We are replacing the damaged lifts.”
An advanced maternal screening scheme was launched two months ago, at the Tamil Nadu Government’s Multi Super Specialty Hospital (TNGMSSH), Omandurar Estate. This first trimester screening included an ultrasound scan and blood tests for genetic markers and cost ₹1,000. The aim was to provide a risk assessment for pregnant women, said V Anand Kumar, the hospital’s nodal officer. Another recent initiative taken by the hospital was the addition of two more battery operated cars for elderly patients. Along with this there are four battery cars in the hospital. “Elderly patients have difficulty in walking. This is very helpful, especially when patients coming to outpatient departments are referred to the “B” block of the hospital,” he said.
boom in OPD
He said the hospital sees around 1,000 outpatients a day, while the inpatient flow has increased by 1.5 times as compared to the pre-covid times. “Before COVID-19, we had 260 to 280 patients. Now, it has increased to over 400. The influx of outpatients in individual departments is increasing, while referrals have also increased,” he said.
The dean of the Government Medical College Hospital, Omandurar Estate, R. Jayanti said that there has been a big change in emergency and trauma care in the government sector. “We have come a long way in housekeeping and surroundings as well,” she said.
“We have a youth hospital. As a way forward, we are implementing the Health Management Information System in a phased manner. We will digitize the records and make the hospital paper free so that it is convenient for the patients as well as the doctors. Already, we have the laboratory information management system in place,” she said.
Keeping the premises clean was a priority area considering the huge influx of patients and visitors. Government Stanley Medical College Hospital dean P. Balaji said the campus was well maintained by staff and disinfection was done at regular intervals to prevent infection.
While battery car facilities were available to pick up sick patients and transport them from one block to another, each specialized outpatient department had separate pharmacy outlets to avoid congestion and save time. “Though centralized laboratory services are available, separate blood collection counters are being brought in OPD and emergency departments for the convenience of the patients and provide quick service,” he added.
He said the infrastructure in the government sector has really improved. “We have all the features under one roof. We also have pay ward and single room.