Sayaji Hospital's triage including ICU became a life saver in second wave of corona

Lives of 1650 to 1750 people were saved, load in the ward was reduced due to the availability of oxygen and ventilator facilities in the triage

Triage means quick response center or immediate treatment. The Covid Triage facility was launched in October at Sayaji Hospital. Due to advance planning by Special Duty Officer and Education Secretary Dr. Vinod Rao, the facility proves to be very decisive and life saving in the second wave of Corona.

An estimated 1650 to 1750 patients' lives were saved as a result of the facility's immediate treatment, including oxygen and ventilators.

Giving information the administrative nodal officer of covid treatment of Sayaji Hospital, Dr. O.B. Belim said that with this system, patients with suspected symptoms of covid can be given immediate treatment first and based on the required test, if the patient finds covid positive, they can be referred to corona department and if negative, to other relevant department for treatment. This arrangement prevents the negative patient from unnecessarily entering the contagious environment of the covid ward.

The first wave was nearing its end on October 20 when under the guidance of Dr. Vinod Rao, the triage in Sayaji hospital as part of corona treatment. Dr. Belim said it was launched at the time with the facility of 5 ventilators, 5 monitors, 2 oxygen concentrators, 2D fibrillators and a continuous oxygen supply attached to the oxygen tank. The facility was state-of-the-art and well-equipped from the beginning and in the first wave more than 300 patients were given first aid with its help.

In addition to the above life saving facilities, all the arrangements like specialist doctors, resident doctors, medical officers, nursing staff, nursing assistants, servants, cleaners, security were taken care of at this triage.

The utility of this facility was proved in the second wave when the cases increased very quickly. It can now be said that without this facility, in the case of a sudden increase in the number of patients, the immediate life-saving treatment required by all would hardly have been possible.

Just as the second wave was moving towards the top, Dr. Rao was very far-sighted and combined the facility of a small ICU with a triage in two days. From the original 22 beds in Triage, 15 beds were converted into ICUs, with 15 ventilators, 15 monitors, 15 oxygen concentrators, 20 jumbo cylinders and additional human resources, making it possible to provide urgently needed treatment to critically ill patients.

When the flow of patients increased so much then 8 oxygen points were also placed in the lobby between the triage and the OPD and additional oxygen concentrators were arranged to take care of the treatment. Patients in need were given oxygen treatment on stretchers and in chairs, and their lives were saved by stabilising their condition.

These comprehensive arrangements prevented such a situation due to precautionary measures at Sayaji and Gotri Hospitals when doors had to be closed to prevent the arrival of patients at other places. As many as 1884 patients in the second wave benefited from this facility and are still receiving it.

Some patients were kept in the ward for 15 to 20 days and then moved to the ward with oxygen. As a result of providing ventilator treatment here, the ventilators of the ward could be easily distributed to other critically ill patients. The doctors and staff working here have been working round the clock for 24 hours a day to provide services to patients.

The center is equipped with the necessary modern systems of fire fighting and NOC.
Currently the place has a comfortable atmosphere as the number of patients is very low. Today there are about 125 patients in the entire corona department. We pray to God and hope the third wave shall not come, but even if it comes, the equipment will be very crucial in protecting the lives of these patients.