Verify availability of facility before referring patients: PGIMS to hospitals

The Pt BD Sharma PGIMS administration here has written to the state health authorities, urging that all government medical colleges and hospitals across Haryana be instructed to verify the availability of critical care facilities at the PGIMS before referring patients. The move comes in response to repeated instances of critically ill patients being sent to the PGIMS from various districts without prior coordination, often resulting in delays in treatment due to unavailability of essential resources, like ICU ventilators. The urgency of the issue was highlighted on Sunday when a girl from Sonepat, who had fallen into a water tub and was in a critical condition, was referred to the PGIMS. Upon arrival, no ICU ventilator was available, as all were, as per the PGIMS authorities’ claim, already in use. The child died a few hours later. Dr SK Singhal, Director of the PGIMS, told ‘The Tribune’ that the child’s condition was extremely critical when she arrived from Government Medical College, Sonepat. “The referring doctors should have verified the availability of necessary facilities at the PGIMS before sending the patient. This is not an isolated case — such uncoordinated referrals have happened multiple times in the past, which is why we have taken up the matter with the state health authorities,” he said. He clarified that the PGIMS was not refusing to treat referred patients, but emphasised that referral institutions must confirm whether the required facilities were currently available. This would ensure that patients receive immediate and appropriate care upon arrival. “To streamline the process, the PGIMS has appointed nodal officers in the casualty ward to coordinate with government hospitals regarding the availability of resources such as the ICU beds and ventilators. This verification system will also help patients’ attendants know in advance whether the needed facilities are accessible at the PGIMS-Rohtak,” he said. Improved communication and coordination between hospitals would prevent avoidable tragedies and ensure timely medical intervention for critically ill patients, he added. Death of girl from Sonepat The urgency of the issue was highlighted on Sunday when a girl from Sonepat, who had fallen into a water tub and was in a critical condition, was referred to the PGIMS. Upon arrival, no ICU ventilator was available, as all were — as per the PGIMS authorities’ claim — already in use. The child died a few hours later.

Haryana Tribune