Don’t give valuables while admitting Covid patients & don’t request to stay in ICU with them: SMCH

May 14: While admitting critical Covid patients, particularly in ICU at Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH), their family members should not give along with them valuables like, costly mobiles or belongings, money etc. This is because in most of the cases, patients admitted in ICU remains critical and so it becomes difficult for them to keep an eye on their valuables. This was said by Dr Bhaskar Gupta, Vice Principal of Silchar Medical College & Hospital on behalf of the hospital administration.

The Vice Principal further said, “We do take an undertaking while admitting any patient, where it is clearly mentioned that no valuables should be given along with the patient.” Dr Gupta also said that especially in case of female patients, no gold items should be given along with the patients.

Dr. Bhaskar Gupta also said, “We have been noticing another aspect recently. Some relatives of the patients want to stay inside the Covid ICU along with the Covid patient. As per the guidelines issued by the Government of India, it is clearly specified that no attendant can stay along with positive patient in the Covid ICU. This is because, the doctors and nurses on duty in Covid ward serves the patients wearing PPE kit and other protective devices. It is very risky for the attendants to stay beside the Covid patients merely by wearing a face mask. It exposes them to infection.”

“Moreover, in Covid ward, we need to put the patients in various life support devices like ventilators, suction machines, oxygen concentrators etc. for which we require abundant space. So if the Covid wards or ICU gets over crowded by the attendants, then it becomes difficult for us to provide such services to the patients. So, on behalf of Silchar Medical College, we would appeal to the family members not to persuade us to stay inside the ICU or Covid wards along with the patients,” added Dr Gupta.

He also said, “Many a times, the relatives get recommendations from political leaders or administration to allow them to stay inside ICU. But practically speaking, we have to face much difficulties in accommodating such requests.”