WITH SOME MEASURES, HOSPITAL CLOSURE CAN BE AVOIDED: EXPERTS
LUCKNOW:: More than 20 private hospitals in the state capital were closed for sanitization in the past 10 days despite protocol to close only isolation areas in case a patient tests positive for coronavirus. Experts say this can be restricted.
“Most hospitals getting closed do not have a separate entrance for isolation. Thus, when a case is detected positive the only entrance and reception get closed and thereby the hospital too suffers closure for 36 hours,” said Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general association of international doctors.
Experts said big hospitals could divide isolation area in separate blocks and small ones could take different measures. Most of the hospitals closed in Lucknow had just one block in which they managed isolation too. A few that had separate block had to close the entire isolation block.
In Lucknow, 21 hospitals in different areas have been closed for sanitization ever since they were allowed to function some 20 days ago. “At least closure of the entire hospital can be avoided, if staff follows guidelines strictly,” ” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, director, Healthcity hospital.
Dr Sheetal Verma, senior faculty, department of microbiology at the King George’s Medical University said small measures were also vital in running hospitals. “Even in small hospitals disinfectants can be regularly used. Now there are disinfectants that can be used amid presence of patients/people.”
Dr Anoop Agrawal, secretary, UP Orthopaedic Association said ventilation was yet another factor. “If proper ventilation is in place chance of cross infection will be reduced. This is one factor when inspection is done of hospitals,” he said.
Experts said sanitization was mandatory in case a patient tested positive for coronavirus but how much portion was closed and how many staff sent in quarantine depends upon the hospital.
“The most important thing is to make isolation staff work only in isolation. This will ensure least staff is sent in quarantine in case a patient tests positive,” said Dr Verma.