Noida: Drive-in OPD, fever tent as hospitals think out of the building

NOIDA: Necessity has birthed many an innovation in the field of healthcare since it became swamped by the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, hospitals are thinking out of the box – or, as some in Noida may say, out of the building – to reassure non-Covid-19 patients who need treatment but are scared of contracting an infection.
One private hospital, Fortis in Sector 62, has started a drive-in-OPD clinic that allows patients to see a doctor without entering the main hospital building. The clinic has been fabricated outside the main reception area. A doctor sits behind a glass frame in full PPE gear and patients can visit on the basis of appointments. The outdoor OPD is functional from 10am-4pm. The clinic is also equipped to collect samples and provide medication.
“While approaching the drive-in-clinic, patients are required to wait in their vehicles while maintaining a 10-metre distance. An acrylic partition between the patient and the consultant is provided with good ventilation and air circulation in the clinic. At the designated time of the OPD, only the patient is at the clinic for evaluation by the doctor,” said Hardeep Singh, zonal director, Fortis Hospital. On Tuesday, six patients had turned up for routine consultation.
“The idea behind setting up this clinic is to contain any potential exposure, especially to the vulnerable citizens such as older adults, young infants and pregnant women as well as anyone with a compromised immunity,” said Singh, adding a separate flu clinic is also operational at the hospital.
Prakash Hospital in Sector 33 has set up a separate fever clinic in a tent. Executive director Dr Ayush Chauhan said the facility was being used to screen patients with ILI (influenza-like illnesses) within the hospital premises but outside its main building.
Others like Metro hospital are spacing out appointments. “Since the appointment is done prior to the patient’s visit online, the patient simply walks in at the designated time without causing any crowd situation and is required to follow necessary social distancing if in the midst of other healthcare staff or patients,” said a spokesperson for the hospital.