Panel to help track dialysis patients
The committee was formed earlier last month after 17 dialysis patients tested positive for the hepatitis virus
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-21 04:18 GMT
Chennai: A high-level committee is going to track those dialysis patients who received treatment at Stanley Hospital before the hepatitis outbreak last month. The government feels that this will help find out if other patients of the hospital contracted the virus too.
The committee, consisting of a top nephrologist, microbiologist and gastroenterologist, was formed earlier last month after 17 dialysis patients tested positive for the hepatitis virus in a monthly test at the hospital.
According to sources with the health department, the committee is also thinking of a recall based on further investigation.
A top nephrologist in the city granted that it was common for dialysis patients to contract the Hepatitis virus, but a proper cleansing of tubes and transducers could avoid it. The incident has had a positive outcome, with extra care being taken at the hospital to deal with dialysis cases and a separate ward being given to the 17 patients.
Health department sources say, “Dialysis activities in the hospital have continued without any hindrance and the issue has not affected the morale of doctors.” Also, two of the patients are reported to be recuperating well under the better care being provided.
“The immediate decision of moving the patients to other hospitals after the outbreak was not well thought of, but the hospital subsequently ensured that all patients got proper treatment,” the sources say. Only relatives of the 17 patients are being allowed to go into the wards.