Delhi govt plans 24x7 remote access for Covid patients

NEW DELHI: Preparing for a possible next Covid-19 wave,

Delhi government

is going to create a privately run 24x7

health system

that will allow suspected and confirmed coronavirus patients to hold tele- and video

consultations

with doctors and also access ambulances, oxygen, hospital admission, medicines and other services. This system can be accessed through a helpline number and will be integrated with government platforms, including those at the district level.

The new system will have modules for triaging patients into pre-defined categories, identifying patients suitable for home isolation or for transfer to Covid care centres, health centres or to hospitals. Triaging is considered key in checking mortality because it provides patients immediate and required level of care.

A government official admitted that the proposal was at the initial stage, and will take a final shape after consultations with the private service providers with expertise and knowledge of the field.

Delhi government’s department of health and family welfare has invited firms with experience and capacity in providing tele-consultation services using digital technologies for Covid management to submit an expression of interest. A meeting is scheduled for June 10 to discuss the prospects and further steps, according to Sandeep Mishra, special secretary, health and family welfare.

“The expression of interest is a means to identifying available and easily customisable solutions and to get inputs from private partners to firm up the design and scope of outsourcing of services,” said Mishra.

Under the new system, an adequate number of lines will be established for tele-consultations, enough to cater to peak pandemic load, with some lines kept in reserve. The inbound calls will be segregated on the basis of service sought. The official explained, “The idea is that the agency should have real-time information on the availability of beds, ICU and ventilators in hospitals and Covid care centres. The agency will take necessary measures to assess and triage the patients. If need be, it will recommend a move to a certain hospital with an available bed.”

The patients identified for home care will be assigned to an identified pool of doctors for regular tele- and video consultations, which will commence within an hour of the individuals being assigned. The patients will also be guided on the essential usage of medical devices, etc. The system will capture hospital bed status and coordinate the shifting of patients requiring hospitalisation at any stage. Those needing hospitalisation will be assisted in coordinating with ambulance services and in securing admission in Covid facilities.

Critical alerts will be generated and notified to doctors and other stakeholders, including command and control structures, through SMS, phone calls and other methods, integrating with existing government platforms, including those at the district level, whenever required.

The new tele-Covid centre will be adequately staffed with qualified and experienced tele-callers, paramedics and doctors including specialists like pulmonologists, psychiatrists, critical care experts, intensivists, gastroenterologists and cardiologists. The system will also make arrangements for an adequate number of doctors and healthcare workers to manage peak loads. It will be scalable and more than one agency could be engaged to create a robust setup that is ready to effectively manage the pandemic.


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