Covid-era teleconferences back as hosps struggle with viral load

Time of India

3 hours ago

Kolkata: Several hospitals have gone back to the Covid-time practice of teleconferencing for patient consultations while others have revived their home-care services and reactivated fever clinics to handle the spike in patient load that has continued since early July.
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In the wake of a surge in viral and bacterial infections across the city, which has seen hospital occupancy touch 85%-90%, a hospital on E M Bypass has set up fever clinics at local complexes to ensure early treatment and prevent hospitalisation.
BP Poddar Hospital has reintroduced e-consultations and fever clinics that made their debut during Covid. Forty-seven patients received virtual consultations in a week while nine are under home care.
"This has helped ease the bed crunch to some extent, reducing demand by 10%-12%. This also ensures that critical patients receive prompt care and recover under expert supervision without the stress of hospitalisation," said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group advisor, BP Poddar Hospital.
At Charnock Hospital, teleconsultations are "an integral part of services now". "Home care, on the other hand, offers a seamless continuation of professional care outside the hospital, and we are actively counselling suitable inpatients to opt for this service.
Currently, we are running at 70% occupancy and have scope to admit more," said Rupali Basu, group CEO, Charnock Hospital.
Desun Hospital has set up a 'neighbourhood connect team' or 'on-site fever clinic' to reach out to patients in the vicinity. "We are actively taking doctors to nearby complexes and residential areas in the evenings and weekends," said Sajal Dutta, chairman & MD, Desun Hospital.
Manipal Hospitals, running at 85% of its capacity at present, has revived teleconsultation and home care services too.
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These platforms are helping patients, especially those from the districts or those requiring follow-up care, access specialists remotely, said Ayanabh Debgupta, regional COO, Manipal Hospitals (East).
At RN Tagore Hospital (RTIICS), video consultations are being offered to patients, including senior citizens, to ensure they get preferential services without having to get admitted or visit the OPD. "Occupancy is 85% but our operational processes are beefed up to ensure faster discharges and admissions with no waiting period," said R Venkatesh, COO (East) of Narayana Hospitals.
Woodlands Hospital, running at full occupancy, is counselling select admitted patients about continuing treatment at home under the care of a competent home-care team. "This helps us optimise bed availability for those who need hospitalisation the most. Fever patients are being thoroughly assessed, and admissions are being recommended only when clinically essential," said Rupak Barua, managing director & CEO.