SAT hosp takes action against erring staff

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major blow to erring staff members, Sree Avittam Thirunal (SAT) Hospital has effected changes in the token system followed at the institution and took actions against many employees for misbehaviour/irregularities.
Complaints were on the rise against staff members of the hospital for misusing the token system to help people known to them. They used to secure the tokens in advance to facilitate early entry for their acquaintances to see doctors while keeping lots of other patients wait for hours. They are also influenced by many patients to collect the token in advance so that the former could save time waiting to get the tokens.
Now on, the hospital will allow the staff to use tokens only after first five patients consult doctors. “We will ensure that the staff would be allowed to secure tokens for consultation only after five patients,” said hospital superintendent A Santhosh Kumar.
The hospital has also taken steps to address other complaints related to the hospital.
It has suspended a staff member, who arrived on duty in inebriated condition. Another employee who made a woman clean the place after her son threw up was issued a warning. No action was taken considering the public apology tendered by the person for his misbehavior.
A woman staff was transferred to another section as part of disciplinary action over irregularities in issuing passes. There was another complaint against a staff at counter who refused to shift treatment of a patient to the unit of his choice. However, hospital authorities said that shifting to another unit could happen only with the consent of the head of the department.