Infection
Throat Infections: Two-Fold Rise in OPD Patients Due to Rain and Dip in Temperatures | Bhopal News
Nov
Bhopal: Number of patients in OPD doubled due to viral infection, according to private and government hospital estimates, here on Monday. Eating out is aggravating the problem, warn health experts. Dip in temperatures and unseasonal rainfall been a trigger for the viral infections. A visible surge has been noticed in hospitals across the state capital.
Number of patients in OPD of large government hospitals like Hamidia hospital, JP hospital and AIIMS Bhopal has increased by almost two-fold.
According to medical experts, viral infection is affection most patients. It comes in form of throat infection (pain and swelling in the throat). Nearly three in ten patients in district hospital complained of throat infection, according to doctors at JP hospital.
If we look at the OPD data of the hospitals, from November 1 to November 15, about 1,000 OPD patients were coming to Hamidia and JP Hospital every day. After November 16, the number has doubled close to 2,000 OPD patients per day.
Infection can last 5 to 7 days to cure instead of two to three days as regularly seen, said Dr Rajiv Singh a physician at a private hospital.
We also published the following articles recently
A private hospital in Bhiwandi has filed a criminal offence against an employee for planting drugs on the premises. The hospital’s management claims that the employee, who works as an assistant administrator, placed ganja in the OPD to defame the hospital. The CEO suspects her involvement due to an ongoing internal dispute over alleged misuse of funds. The police have registered a case against the employee and her unidentified accomplices. An internal enquiry, backed by CCTV footage, supports the CEO’s suspicion.
Following reports of open defecation at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) due to damaged sewage lines, the hospital administration has unclogged the lines and reopened locked toilets for OPD patients. Plans are underway to construct larger toilets at different locations on the campus as part of the ongoing upgrade plan. The reports prompted action from the administration after patients and relatives were seen relieving themselves in the open. The existing toilets, built over seven decades ago, will be replaced to ensure basic facilities for visitors and relatives.
Shortage of dedicated staff, including infection control nurses, is a major reason for hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in India. The country has just one infection control nurse (ICN) per 1,000 beds, compared to the WHO recommendation of one ICN per 100 beds. ICNs play a crucial role in implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare facilities. They also monitor disinfectants, autoclave operation, water quality, infection rates, and antimicrobial resistance patterns. ICNs can help formulate policies and educate staff and patients’ attendants on best IPC practices.
