31/10/2020
Orthopaedic hospital for surgery is pleased to announce that we, under the tutelage of Dr. Ameya Velingker have successfully completed 50 Total Knee Replacements since the COVID-19 Pandemic. As we sit down to celebrate this day, I decided to pen down our journey since March 24th, the day the lockdown was announced and reminisce the impact of COVID-19 on our day-to-day lives since.
We at OHS did not realize the extent of the COVID-19 onslaught that would descend on Goa as Goa was virtually unaffected during the entire lockdown. When the 1st lockdown was announced in end March 2020, we had over 10 Joint replacements scheduled the following week. All these cases had to be rescheduled over-night which was a logistics nightmare for the patients. Due to non-availability of public transport, the staff on duty was finding it difficult to travel to and from the hospital. They had to ask friends and family to drop and pick them off and considering some of them stay far away from the hospital, this was very challenging and taxing on them. The same was applicable to patients as well. We slowly started work on half shifts on rotational basis and patients started trickling into the hospital.
COVID-19 taught us a lot of things. We had a sudden breakdown of supply chain wherein even a small thing as a mask became a rare commodity with suppliers running out of stock within minutes of procuring the same. All the Joint replacement implants come from warehouses outside the state, and as such since the borders were shut, implants could not be transported into Goa.
The plight of doctors and healthcare workers including hospital staff is distinct from other sectors. The very people required to treat patients are at high risk of infection themselves and are irreplaceable because of their unique skills. Another distinct aspect which sets healthcare apart from others is that any delay or failure in delivery of healthcare services will result in worsening of health conditions. In spite of all this, we continued to work relentlessly without taking a day off and this is why Dr. Ameya Velingker and all the staff at Orthopaedic Hospital for Surgery are held in high esteem. Without caring for themselves or their loved ones, they dived head on into committing themselves into taking care of patients.
In spite of upward spiraling costs for day to day running of the hospital, we ensured that this cost was not offset to patients and continued offering services under the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana, offering Total Knee Replacement surgeries free of cost to many needy patients.
Once we realized the extent of the COVID-19 impact and the fact that it was here to stay, we at OHS swung into action to take remedial steps. We promptly implemented safety and precautionary measures for screening all patients, visitors and staff; use of masks and PPE; ample supply of hand sanitizers at all points and social distancing inside the premises; thorough and frequent cleaning of all exposed surfaces and equipment; special processes in housekeeping, laundry, CSSD, biomedical waste management, etc. Existing infrastructure was modified to create isolation facilities. Dr. Ameya Velingker proposed to start Technological solutions which were implemented e.g. teleconsultation and digital communication with patients and he was one of the pioneers to start this service in Margao at his clinic. Dr. Ameya Says “Before the pandemic, patients would either visit me often, or postpone their visits until absolutely necessary. Now, patients prefer to substitute physical visits as much as possible with teleconsultations coupled with homecare services, and remote monitoring is adopted”
Purchase costs increased due to additional consumables and equipment required, need to stock-up supplies and supply shortages had to be taken into account. The perceived safety of a hospital also became important. Patients will only visit hospitals which they fear is safe from infections. Hence, not only did we improve our quality, we also ramped up our patient communication to regain their trust.
Every crisis poses an opportunity to learn, improve and innovate. However, speed and deliberation are of the utmost importance. Orthopaedic Hospital for Surgery needed to reassess our internal capabilities, the effect and limitations of the crisis, and quickly develop a sound strategy to get operational which we did successfully. This small victory is dedicated to Dr. Ameya Velingker and our entire team at the hospital. Thank you for showing your strength, support, courage and ability to stand out during this entire crisis.
