‘Incorrect home isolation can be risky’
LUCKNOW : While isolating a patient at home, the condition of the house is significant, said Kauser Usman, HoD, geriatric medicine, King George’s Medical University.
Demystifying home isolation, Usman said people who defy norms like staying completely away from the rest of the family, are actually putting their loved ones at risk.
“Home isolation is applicable only if there is a separate portion for a patient but this is not possible with families living in two BHK apartments, as most times, there is not even enough ventilation to let the air from a patient’s to go out safely,” said Usman.
Explaining the correct method of home isolation, he said that the best home isolation option is when the patient lives on a separate floor of the house with the entire area of his room and bathroom separate and all the belongings are used by them exclusively.
“Patients often opt for home isolation if their physical condition is stable and oxygen level is over 95-97 but they forget they are spreaders and the first victims are family members, particularly the elderly and children,” said Usman, who has advised medication and treated over 1,000 patients in home isolation via tele-consultancy and helped them recover.
“You can’t stop a child from coming towards you (patient) due to the emotional bond. Neither can the elderly stay away due to their love. But all this is dangerous,” he said. “If you can’t afford a separate wing in the house for isolation, better stay in the hospital,” he said.
“The irony is medical teams that call a patient have to believe a patient when they say they have separate room and other facilities in the house for home isolation, but a two-room set is not enough to keep a patient separate for the entire period of home isolation,” said Usman.
“The most important thing is never take home isolation lightly as this can result in hospitalisation,” said Usman.