Taking steps towards the safety of doctors and other hospital staff and to ensure hygiene inside in-patient wards of government hospitals, the system of one attendant per patient during non-visiting hours is back in force. This is one of the instructions issued by Director of Medical Education Dr. K. Ramesh Reddy on Wednesday, following recent protests over attack on medicos.
After a patient is admitted into a tertiary care government hospital, along with a case sheet, an ‘attendant pass’ is issued too. An attendant is allowed into the in-patient ward only after showing the pass to security personnel. However, visitors will be allowed to meet patients during the stipulated visiting hours in the morning and evening.
The DME said this system was in force earlier, but with time, was relaxed. “When a patient is discharged, the attendant should return that pass and collect discharge slip. Otherwise, touts will recycle the passes as had been noticed earlier,” he said.
Apart from protecting the interests of those working in hospitals, the senior official said this step will also do a world of good to the patient. “Overcrowding in the wards, even if it is one’s kin, is not advisable as it could lead to infection in the patient,” he added.