Govt tightens rules on ICU, CCU referrals

Kolkata: Following a series of complaints relating to Critical Care Units (CCU) and Intensive Care Units (ICU) in government medical colleges and hospitals, the state health department has issued a standard operating procedure (SoP) stating that no unwarranted referrals of patients will be allowed. This comes in response to rising complaints concerning CCU and ICU mismanagement, overcrowding at larger state-run hospitals, and exploitation by private middlemen. Sources said that in case of any 'unwarranted referrals,' the medical colleges and hospitals must inform Swasthya Bhawan. According to an internal report of the health department, the performance of several medical colleges was not up to mark and 15 government hospitals in 10 districts have been identified from which patients were 'unnecessarily' referred. Steps may also be taken against the hospitals, sources added. The department was not happy with several medical colleges including Calcutta National Medical College, Barasat Medical College, North Bengal Medical College, Cooch-Behar Medical College and Jhargram Medical College. Health department SoP also said that PGTs should not be engaged in duties in ICU if they do not have adequate experience in handling patients in the critical units and do not obtain certain specified related degrees. The patients' related information in the ICU should be shared through digital prescriptions. These data will also be uploaded on health portal in Swasthya Bhawan.