.jpg)
Sharing of experience as Covid Patient with suggestions for quality improvement .
Introduction
I had low grade fever since 22nd August 2020. Subsequently Chest CT scan done on 30th August showed multiple patch areas of ground glass opacity in bilateral lungs and multiple small sub. cm size Lymph nodes in Mediastinum . As these findings were indicating towards suspected Covid infection, I was admitted the same evening in Chest Ward .
My Experience at Chest Ward
I am happy to mention here that the moment I was admitted on 30th August night in Chest ward , immediate medical care and services were made available to me . The doctor on duty collected information about my past treatment history / medicines / test reports etc from my daughter who accompanied me to hospital for getting me admitted .
In the night itself my ECG and blood tests etc were done and my treatment started for Covid Pneumonia with Antibiotic , Steroid and Blood Thinner etc
The ward was spacious, neat & clean , with 4 beds in a cubicle .
Since this was suspected Covid ward , medical staff with PPE kits were only allowed to attend patients. Doctors and other staff members were communicating from across the curtain barriers with a distance.
My salient observations are as follows –
a) Ward was neat & clean , but toilets ( common for all ) need more frequent cleaning
b) Quality of breakfast , lunch and dinner were good
c) In between - for few hours there used to be no medical staff inside the ward and patients were unattended with no means of communication with medical staff who were stationed in a separate chamber outside the ward . I feel that at least there should be one medical attendant inside the ward round the clock and also some intercom facility should be available for communicating with the staff in case of emergency .
My Covid test was reported positive on 1st September and I was accordingly shifted to Covid Ward for further treatment.
My Experience at Covid Isolation Ward
The ward was spacious , neat & clean with 4 beds in a cubicle . Since it was Covid isolation ward , medical staff with PPE kits were only allowed to attend patients. Doctors were communicating from across the main glass door of the ward room .
My salient observations are as follows
a. I was well attended by doctors and other medical staff
b. Ward was neat & clean but toilets ( common for all ) need more frequent cleaning
c. Quality of breakfast , lunch and dinner were good
d. In between, for few hours there used to be no medical staff inside the ward and patients were unattended with no means of communication to medical staff on duty stationed outside the ward in a different chamber.
e. Medical staff used to come inside the ward to attend Patients and giving them medicines etc for about two hours durations ( attending 16-18 patients ) at intervals of 3-4 hours.
f. It is well understood that working with PPE kits and attending so many patients ( 16-18 patients ) by a single medical staff is a quite a difficult & strenuous job . Due to extreme work pressure on medical staff on duly , often they were not able to concentrate and provide the services as is excepted form a professional service provider . Once , in my case also IV- Cannula was wrongly inserted which led to subsequent profuse bleeding .
g. It is my opinion that for a ward with 16 beds , there should by at least two medical staff available inside the ward and ward should never be left unattended . Tele communication facility from within the ward should be available with doctors / medical staff stationed outside the Covid ward .
My Covid Swab test was reported negative on 8th Sep 2020 . However, since my Blood Pressure and Sugar were not under control , I was shifted to Medicine ward 9th September 2020 for further treatment .
My Experience at Medicine Ward
I was well attended by doctors and other medical staff . It was neat & clean ward , with 6 beds in a cubicle
My salient observations are as follows
a. 6 beds in a cubical were very cramp and congested. I feel 4 beds / cubicle are ideal.
b. Ward was neat & Clean ,but toilets ( common for all ) need more frequent cleaning
c. Quality of Breakfast , lunch and dinner were good
d. Time taken for discharge formalities was 4-5 hours . I feel that this can be minimized
Conclusion
Good Aspects –
1- Free of cost, such a good medical treatment with quality snacks & food is really commendable.
2- Doctors & paramedical staff are dedicated to their services and always very cooperative and helpful.
3- Amenities and Infrastructure are really good
4- Wards are neat and clean
A few suggestions for further quality improvement in medical heath services -
1- Patients inside the ward should never be left un attended.
2- There need to be at least one medical staff available per maximum ten patients
3- There need to be telecommunication facility from within the ward with doctors / medical staff stationed outside the isolation ward
4- Toilets / wash rooms need more frequent clearing
5- Max 4 beds per cubicle will be ideal in medicine ward
Comments