PMCH ICU is functioning only on paper

PATNA: The intensive care unit (ICU) is one of the most important unit which helps in saving lives of critically ill patients. But, unfortunately the surgical ICU of the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), emergency unit, is functional on paper only for almost the last 10 years and as a result over 90 per cent of the patients brought to the hospital in critical condition die.
However, whenever the Medical Council of India inspects the ICU of one of the oldest medical institute of the state it is cleaned and the beds are arranged properly.Once the inspection is over it is again locked and is opened during the next inspection.
Chief casualty medical officer Dr Chandra Mohan Jha said that the ICU was planned and set up in 1990, but it has not become functional to date. He said that the six-bed unit has all the required equipment to handle even the most critical cases.
According to Jha, the reason behind the delay in opening the ICU is lack of adequate staff. He said that any ICU requires at least one anesthetist on 24-hour duty, because it is under his supervision all the equipments, including the ventilator, functions. Besides, at least two nurses per bed, along with several para medical staff, are required round-the-clock, but not a single staff has been deputed to date, he added.
Jha said that most of the patients brought for emergency treatment need proper oxygen supply. “If the ICU is in working condition the patients can be kept on ventilator which will help provide the required amount of oxygen,� he said.
and added “in all probability 50 per cent of the patients can be saved.�
“In medical terminology it means those who survive after the accident, will be able to lead a proper life and also reduce the disabilities developed due to the accident to the maximum,� Jha said.
The insufficient number of trolleys is another problem which makes the movement of the patients very troublesome. The condition is made worse as the paramedical staff use these trolleys to transport medicines and bed sheets. But nothing is done by the authorities to stop this misuse.