Raging viruses force hosps to streamline admission, discharge | Kolkata News – Times of India

Kolkata: Private hospitals have started screening patients and rationalising admissions to meet a sudden rush for beds triggered by a spread of viral infections. They are also discharging patients more quickly by initiating the process early and deferring planned admissions and surgeries to make room for the critically ill. Critical care units are now fully occupied, and vacancies are occurring slowly, leading to a queue for beds. BP Poddar Hospital has been fully occupied for the last seven days. “The surge in patient load has compelled us to defer some admissions due to the unavailability of beds. We are also streamlining the patient discharge process. Additionally, we are promoting day-care procedures where clinically appropriate. Patients scheduled for elective surgeries are also being counselled to adjust their timelines,” said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group advisor, B P Poddar Hospital.Charnock Hospital has recorded a sharp rise in occupancy, which has touched 85%, with hospital admissions increasing by nearly 15% over the last week. The hospital is screening and ‘triaging’ patients at the emergency and OPDs and identifying those who need admission. It has prepared an emergency and an internal medicine team for quick diagnosis, treatment, and infection control. “Both admission and discharge procedures are being hastened while we are keeping patients under close observation to prevent overstaying,” said Charnock emergency head Nishant Agarwal.This upward trend is largely due to a seasonal spike in viral fever cases. RN Tagore Hospital (RTIICS) has chalked out a detailed plan to ensure quick patient turnover. “We begin the discharge of patients for the day before noon, moving haemodynamically stable patients from HDUs to the wards and rooms,” said Narayana Hospitals (East) COO R Venkatesh.Desun Hospital has ramped up services and staffing to ensure seamless patient care, said chairman & MD Sajal Dutta. It admitted 120 on Thursday. “Our occupancy has crossed 600, which is around 85% of our capacity,” he added. Peerless Hospital has been preparing discharge certificates a day before release and initiating the discharge process by 10 am to free up beds by 1 pm.