The AIIMS Bhubaneswar authorities on Saturday decided to stop walk-in OPD services at all specialities and super-specialities departments in the hospital temporarily from January 17 after many faculties, staff and students of the institution were infected with Covid-19. However, the OPDS will remain functional only for online registered patients and all emergency cases.
"Recently, there has been a considerable resurgence of Covid-19 positive cases in Bhubaneswar area. The pandemic has affected many residents, faculty, staff and students of the institution within a week. The number is gradually increasing day by day. Because of this, AIIMS Bhubaneswar is compelled to stop the walk-in-OPD services of all the specialities and super specialities departments temporarily with effect from 17th of this month (Monday) till further orders. But the patients who have made registration online can attend in their respective department by showing their online booking number at the entry gate," read the notification issued by AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
As per the notification, AIIMS Bhubaneswar 'Swasthya' app and telemedicine (Whatsapp call) services will continue. Patients will be encouraged to be connected more digitally instead of coming to the OPDs physically. Telemedicine services will be functional from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday on all working days. Similarly, AIIMS Bhubaneswar Swasthy app will be operational from 8.30 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and 8.30 am to 1 pm on Saturday on all working days.
However, emergency services like day-care, radiotherapy, dialysis, trauma and emergency, emergency and life-saving surgery, telemedicine and teleconsultation service, IPD service, Covid vaccination service, immunization for old registered patients (Wednesday and Friday) and yellow fever(Thursday), pulmonary (vaccination RMRC), anesthesiology (PAC and Pain Clinic) etc will continue as before.
"If a treating doctor feels that the patient is in critical condition and should be seen physically, they can make an appointment either through telemedicine or Swasthya app services. At the entry gate, the patient will have to ensure the appointment and double dose vaccination certificate. All elective surgeries will be curtailed and emergency surgeries will be taken up following all Covid protocols," said AIIMS Bhubaneswar Superintendent S N Mohanty.
"Similarly, all inpatients waiting for surgery in different surgical wards are to be operated in a staggered manner with all safeguards in a limited number of OTs in addition to labour OT, Covid OT, T and E and emergency OT. No emergency case will be denied timely medical care on the pretext of Covid," said Mohanty.
Moreover, RT-PCR negative reports for both patients and the attendant have been mandatory at the time of IPD admission. Only one attendant is allowed with the IPD patients.