Private hospitals in Mangaluru mull home isolation packages

MANGALURU: Several private hospitals in the city are expected to launch ‘home isolation packages’ soon.
A few private hospitals in the state capital have already announced such packages. With this, patients are expected to get treatment kits and virtual monitoring by nurses and doctors, based on the package the patient opts for. However, the launch may not be an easy task amid the rising challenges.
‘Adequate staff needed’
An official from a private hospital told TOI: “To introduce these packages, hospitals need to have adequate staff, as it requires a couple of video consultations per day, kits to be provided and if needed, a staff member may have to visit the house. A dedicated home visit team has to be constituted. Meanwhile, four medical colleges have shared responsibility of collecting swabs of Gulf returnees under institutional quarantine, which amounts to around 1,500 people.”
“There could be a slight delay in launching the package as several hospital staff have tested positive. Added to this, the Kerala government has imposed restrictions on daily commuters. Nearly 20% of the health care staff are from the neighbouring state. Labour OTs in a couple of hospitals have been sealed down forcing the other hospitals to share the burden. Doctors serving the Covid wards are working in shifts. Those exposed to Covid-19 patients are being quarantined for few days too.”
Most patients availing treatment under Ayushman scheme: Private hospitals
Private hospitals have observed that most Covid-19 patients are opting for treatment under the Ayushman scheme.
“A positive patient who is asymptomatic as per guidelines can be discharged and sent for home quarantine after notifying the district health department along with a consent obtained from a patient that he/she is aware and responsible on dos and don’ts for home quarantine as laid down by the government,” the officer added.
A source from a private hospital said around 10 % of beds in the Covid ward is occupied by its staff. Dr Prashanth Marla K, medical director, and transplant surgeon, A J Hospital & Research Centre said, “I don’t think there are as many admissions for Covid-19 in private hospitals and beds are also not that full. However, based on demand, we may consider teleconsultation and telemonitoring for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic Covid patients.”
Vishal Hegde, pro-chancellor, Nitte Deemed to be University, said they will soon launch home isolation packages.