One of the reasons for the tremendous delay in admission for those with severe COVID-19 has been an equal delay in getting a test result in time. Many have died waiting for a test or a result. However, henceforth, a positive test for COVID-19 is not mandatory for admission to a COVID health facility, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said.
As a result, no patient will be turned back because of a lack of a test result. In a release titled ‘Update on Clinical Management of COVID-19’, it said the national policy for admission of COVID-19 patients in hospitals has been revised to be more patient-centric.
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A press release by the ministry said “this patient-centric measure aims to ensure prompt, effective and comprehensive treatment of patients suffering from COVID19”.
New orders within three days
The Health Ministry has advised the Chief Secretaries of States and Union territories to issue necessary orders, incorporating the above directions, within three days. This will be enforced till it is replaced by an “appropriate uniform policy”, the release said.
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This directive is applicable across States and Union Territories, and to hospitals under the Central government, State Governments and Union Territory administration, including private hospitals (in States and Union Territories) managing COVID patients.
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Now, anyone with suspected COVID-19 will be admitted to the suspect ward. No patient will be refused services, including oxygen and essential drugs, even if they belong to a different city. No one will be refused admission if they are unable to produce a valid identity card belonging to the city where the hospital is.
Admit only when needed
Further, to ensure availability of beds, it has been decided that admissions must only be based on need. “It should be ensured that beds are not occupied by persons who do not need hospitalisation. Further, the discharge should be strictly in accordance with the revised discharge policy available,” the ministry said.
