The newly established Triage Center at Tiruchi Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital has been converted into a temporary outpatient ward for patients suffering from COVID-19 symptoms.
Forty two beds have been provided for supply of electricity and oxygen.
This center will be the first stop for people suffering from fever, cold and other similar symptoms. Based on their test results, it will be decided whether they need admission or they can be sent home for quarantine.
The center was set up to provide immediate medical attention, including oxygen, to patients arriving at the hospital with COVID-19. “During the peak of the second wave, we had to call doctors to check the vacancy of beds in various COVID-19 wards and patients were forced to wait. In this triage ward, they can lie down and even receive oxygen from the PSA plant while waiting for the bed,” K. Vanitha, Dean, said.
Sockets with metal structures, for holding portable oxygen tanks, are arranged next to each bed. Oxygen concentrators and ventilators are all in sufficient supply and can be mobilized if required.
Two teams of doctors and staff nurses have been deployed in the outpatient ward, and those with symptoms can be tested there. A nurse said, “We have rapid antigen test kits where we can test a patient and get results within 15 minutes. Based on the results and their health condition, they are sent to specific wards ”
The medical team will also assess the patient’s health by examining their co-morbid conditions and based on the results the treatment protocol will be followed. If a patient above 60 years of age reports positive with comorbid conditions that require monitoring, they will be moved to the COVID-19 in-patient ward of the hospital.
If the infection is mild or moderate, and the patient is young and does not have any other pre-existing medical conditions, they will either be referred to COVID care centers or sent to home quarantine. Medical officials said Tiruchi Corporation and ‘108 Ambulance’ service will escort the patient to the COVID care centres.
A staff nurse deputed at the center says she has only seen severe COVID-19 infection in people who have not been vaccinated. “Many of us were afraid to even take the vaccination. However, after seeing that it has such a significant effect on recovery, we rushed to take it. I recommend that anyone who has missed take it as well. “