KGMU OTs to get going in phases
One-third of the residents and faculty of the department of anaesthesia are now engaged in Covid ICU duties.
Two weeks after resuming outpatient department (OPD) services, several departments at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) here will now start operations in a restricted manner from the next week.
While some OTs are already functional, their number will be gradually increased. But with Covid-19 pressure it may be difficult to restore the operations to 100% of what was done before the pandemic.
One-third of the residents and faculty of the department of anaesthesia that supports operation in different departments are now engaged in Covid ICU (intensive care unit) duties. The department supported 18 operating theatres every day before the pandemic situation and it now plans to start seven OTs from the coming week.
“We intend to start with seven and would gradually increase (the number) keeping in view the number of operations listed by departments and also the Covid patient load. Management of Covid patients in ICUs is one of the focus areas for our department,” said prof GP Singh, provice chancellor and head of the anaesthesia department.
Some departments such as gynaecology, surgical oncology, trauma surgery, emergency, cardiology and CVTS (cardiovascular and thoracic surgery) were running operating theatres, albeit in a restricted manner during the pandemic too for the seriously ill patients who needed immediate surgical support. Now, a majority of the surgical departments will start OTs.
In each OT, there could be a maximum of four or five major/ minor cases.
Since the possibility a second wave of Covid is also being talked about, doctors are taking steps while taking care to ensure that they do not disturb the functioning at Covid ICU. There are over half-a-dozen Covid ICUs running on the campus including those adults, paediatrics and gynaelogical care.
“We aim to start OTs fullfledged, which means all the OTs, but the increase in number will be gradual,” said Prof Singh.
Doctors attending patients at King George Medical University, in Lucknow.