In a significant move to enhance healthcare services, Jaipur's premier Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital is set to introduce a night out-patient department (OPD) starting this Thursday. This new initiative, a first of its kind for the facility, is designed to provide necessary medical treatment to non-critical patients during evening hours and alleviate severe congestion in the emergency unit.
Addressing the Evening Rush and Emergency Strain
The decision follows directives from Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of Medical Education, who stressed the need for extended medical services for public benefit. The night OPD will operate from the hospital's emergency unit premises daily from 3 PM to 9 PM. This timing strategically covers the period after the regular OPD in the Dhanwantri block closes at 3 PM, when a surge of patients typically heads to the emergency room for routine ailments.
Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, Principal and Controller of SMS Medical College, explained the pressing need for this service. "We are seeing nearly 200 to 250 patients daily at our emergency unit who do not have serious medical issues," he stated. "While our emergency unit prioritises critical cases, we cannot turn away patients seeking care for routine problems. To resolve this, a night OPD staffed by two doctors will be deployed from Thursday."
Decongesting Critical Care Spaces
The influx of patients with common health issues like stomach aches and fevers into the emergency unit has created a dual challenge. It not only leads to overcrowding but also compromises the quality of care for those facing life-threatening situations. The emergency unit, which shares its space with the cardio and neuro emergency wings, has been under immense strain.
Dr. Maheshwari highlighted that the absence of a dedicated triage section has made it difficult to prioritise patients effectively, especially during mass casualty events. The doctors, who are first responders for critical cases and perform life-saving procedures like CPR, often work in challenging conditions due to the overcrowded environment.
A Step Towards a More Efficient Healthcare System
The launch of the night OPD is a direct response to these systemic issues. By diverting non-urgent cases to the evening OPD, the hospital aims to:
- Create a healthier and less chaotic environment in the emergency unit.
- Allow emergency doctors to focus their expertise and resources on critical patients.
- Provide timely and appropriate care for patients with routine ailments in a dedicated setting.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline services at SMS Hospital. Civil work is already underway to develop a new, more capable emergency unit, which will include a dedicated triage section to manage patient flow efficiently during disasters and everyday operations.
The introduction of the night OPD marks a proactive step by SMS Hospital authorities to implement a more coherent and patient-centric approach to healthcare delivery in Jaipur, ensuring that both emergency and routine medical needs are met effectively.
