Category: hospitals

Many patients have been delaying hospital treatment after suffering a heart attack due to fear of Covid infection, and therefore having a complicated course of recovery
BENGALURU / Sept 28, 2020 – Doctors have reported a 30 percent surge in cases of heart attacks in Bengaluru in the last two months, possibly related to factors like mental stress, economic difficulties, a sedentary lifestyle and bad diet imposed by the lockdown. Many heart attack victims have also been delaying coming to a hospital due to fear of Covid infection and therefore having a complicated course of recovery because of lack of timely treatment, said Dr. Sreekanth Shetty, Head – Interventional Cardiology, Sakra World Hospital.
Dr. Sreekanth Shetty said: “In the first few month of the lockdown, there was a drastic fall in the number of heart attack patients. There were many reasons for this, like reduced stress levels due to staying at home and getting more rest and heart attack victims not coming to hospitals for treatment due to Covid fears. Lack of prompt care saw a spike in sudden deaths at home. However, the wheel has turned full circle. As levels of mental stress, frustration and insecurities among people rise due to financial anxiety, job losses, salary cuts, unregulated working hours, etc., we are now witnessing a surge in heart-attack cases in the late phase of the pandemic. This is due to the pandemic induced stress on people.”
He added: “At Sakra hospital, we have experienced a disproportionate rise in heart attack hospitalizations. In fact, there has been a 30 percent increase in the number of heart attack patients coming for treatment in the months of August and September, compared to the same period last year. While heart patients are still shying away from elective procedures, admissions in emergency ward have risen for heart attacks.”

Dr. Shetty said: “Patients with pre-existing heart disease are at the highest risk of mortality due to Covid infection. It has been seen to affect the heart in various ways. One, when the lung is severely affected, extremely low oxygen levels depress functioning of the heart. Two, the virus can cause low blood pressure which in turn can also affect the heart. Third, the virus can trigger a severe inflammatory response which also involves the heart. Fourth, Covid can cause clotting in the arteries and veins of the body, leading to heart attacks, brain strokes, limb gangrene, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Covid can also directly affect the heart, causing myocarditis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Also, certain types of heart arrhythmias are seen to happen in Covid patients which can cause death. Worse, Covid can affect the heart in patients with no prior cardiovascular problems and they can face the same complications.”
“Due to fear of the infection, many heart patients have restricted themselves from coming for their scheduled hospital visits. Some have availed of video consultations to take guidance. Fortunately, most patients are conscious of the need to continue their medications and we have not come across any heart patient defaulting on medication during the pandemic. Also, availability of medicines has not been a problem in this period,” said Dr. Shetty.
He added: “There are many things that people with heart condition can do to limit their risk of infection. Avoid people who are sick and keep a two-meter distance from other individuals, wherever possible. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Wear appropriate masks but avoid those with a valve. Stay at home as much as possible and work from home if feasible. Continue to take prescription medications without fail, including for blood pressure and diabetes. Do not stop blood thinners if you are on them. In case of symptoms suggestive a new cardiac event, visit the hospital without hesitation.”

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Kozhikode: Meitra Hospital registered yet another landmark in its effort to provide quality care when its team of cardiologists headed by Dr. Ali Faizal and Dr. Asishkumar Mandalay at the Centre for Heart and Vascular Care, successfully performed Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) for a 72year female patient. The patient was diagnosed with severe calcific blocks in the coronary arteries. IVL is a more recent advancement in the treatment of such complex blocks and is rated as the best and safest amongst various coronary plaque calcium modification techniques currently available.
“Coronary artery bypass graft surgery was the only option available for various kinds of complex calcific coronary blocks, a few years back. But thanks to technological advancements and research, we have more effective ways of managing such blocks. IVL is not an alternative to coronary artery bypass graft surgery, but is indeed a boon to those who suffer from complex calcific coronary blocks and are at cross roads. It is particularly safe for high risk patients with life threatening co-morbidities”, commented Dr Ali Faizal,Advisor of Centre for Heart & Vascular Care and Director of Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode.
“The patient was brought to the hospital with chest pain and was found to have severe calcific coronary artery disease. In addition, she had multiple co-morbidities and other unfavorable conditions that would have put her at risk had we taken the route of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The treating team after much deliberation chose to use IVL technique which is a safer option,” informed Dr Asishkumar Mandalay, Chairman and Head of Department, Cardiology.
IVL entails maneuvering of a balloon catheter to reach the site of the complex calcific block. This is followed by delivery of ‘Shockwaves’ which are modified sound waves in fixed pulses resulting in modification of the coronary plaque calcium. A maximum of 80 pulses can be delivered in a single sitting.
The team of experts in cardiology department at Meitra Hospital has dealt with a range of complex situations successfully since its inception. They have a very good track record of addressing complex calcific blocks by utilizing various methods like rotational atherectomy (Rotablation). Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. The ‘shockwave intravascular lithotripsy technique’ to treat problematic calcific coronary artery disease is a latest addition to its repertoire.

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• The Hospital Launches its ‘Six-Stage Ultra Safety Program’ against Covid-19 Infection
• Only Hospital in India to produce N-95 masks in-house 
• Only Hospital in Tamil Nadu to use three different advanced technologies: RT-PCR, TruNAAT, and CB NAAT for COVID-19 testing

13 August , 2020: By rolling out what it calls the ‘Six-Stage Ultra Safety Program’ that ensures contactless detection of potential carriers of the Covid-19 virus, 100% sterilization of indoors, and minimal physical contact while providing healthcare services, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai, has become perhaps the safest hospital in India to offer the highest possible protection to its patients, visitors, and staff, against Covid-19 infection. 

Currently, Meenakshi Mission Hospital is also the only hospital in the country to produce N-95 masks on its own – and to use three different advanced technologies for COVID-19 testing, namely: Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), True Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (Tru NAAT), and Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CB NAAT).

The hospital has also come up with an ingenious innovation, named Tanjore Air Barrier Technique (TABT), to securely deliver compressed medical grade air to healthcare professionals in the operation theatres through a hood. Its Bluetooth Stethoscope, another novel in-house design, lets physicians listen to internal organs of the patients without touching a stethoscope – and even when the patient is seated in another room.  

Commenting about the ‘Six-stage ultra-safety program’, Dr. S. Gurushankar, Chairman, Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai, said, “Essentially, the program is all about creating redundant layers of protection against Covid-19 infection, so that the in-patients and outpatients who need ongoing treatment for various other ailments can avail – and our doctors, paramedical and administrative staff can render – necessary healthcare services without any fear of Covid-19 infection.” 

The ‘Six-stage ultra-safety program’ makes optimal use of AI and robotics for contactless detection of symptoms in our visitors, sterilization of indoors, as well as contactless checkup, and treatment, wherever it is possible and desirable.

The first stage of protection features Smart Security. It deploys security personnel, who man the entrance of the hospital, to detect potential carriers of the virus. They wear smart infrared AI helmets to check the temperature of the visitors remotely. The second stage protection comes from the Smart Fever Clinic that functions at the reception area of the hospital. Armed with

thermal infrared guns, the hospital staff check the temperature of the visitors, and provide identity tags to each visitor after ensuring that they have sanitized their hands and worn N-95 masks. 

The third stage protection features Smart Thermal Surveillance Cameras that continuously and remotely checks the temperature of everyone in the premises, round the clock. The fourth stage of ultra-safety program comes from Advanced COVID-19 Testing Equipment using which Covid-19 testing is done to patients and visitors using three different advanced technologies:

RT-PCR, Tru NAAT, and CB NAAT.

The fifth stage protection deploys robots that’s on the move 24X7 spraying disinfectant and sterilizing every corner of the hospital to ensure that frequently touched surfaces are sanitized at all times. The sixth and the final stage of protection presses into service robots to carry food and medicines to patients right to their rooms. 

The hospital also uses Bluetooth Stethoscope for listening to the sounds of internal organs, and TABT for the supply of contamination-free oxygen to healthcare professionals and patients in the operation theatres. 

Dr. Gurushankar said that the hospital had imported the robots and smart gadgets as soon as the lockdown was first announced in March. “Then there was not a single case of infection in Madurai. But we expected that the pandemic would eventually hit Madurai, for that matter, all parts of the country. There was no guarantee that what happened in Italy and the US would not happen in India. Hence, we used the lead time of two-three months for importing and installing the systems, and training the staff,” he said. The doctor’s team at the Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Thanjavur designed TABT and Bluetooth Stethoscope a few months earlier.

The Six-Stage Ultra Safety Program at Meenakshi Mission is thus setting a standard in the country in ensuring continuity of healthcare services during the Covid-19 pandemic in a stress-free and smart environment. 

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Dr. P Mohanakrishnan, a health professional with more than 3 decades of experience in healthcare spanning India and the Middle East, joins Meitra Hospital as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

“Dr. P Mohanakrishnan brings with him a strong   discipline and prowess in establishing and managing hospitals not just in India, but Internationally as well. We look forward to his wealth of experience and are excited to have him lead Meitra & achieve KEF’s vision of transforming Indian Healthcare.”, said Faizal E. Kottikollon; Chairman, Meitra Hospital & Founder Chairman, KEF Holdings.

He has held leadership roles across premier healthcare facilities in Kerala & GCC. Prior to taking up his current position, Dr. P Mohanakrishnan served as the CEO of Avitis Institute of Medical Sciences, Palakkad. He also founded the prestigious Institute of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery in Kerala and established it as one of the premiere institutes specializing in the discipline of ENT in India.

“The healthcare sector across the world has become the nucleus of sustenance. And Kerala with its well-established healthcare networks and infrastructure is perfectly poised to welcome people seeking quality and advance treatments, not just from the rest of India but from across the globe. Meitra Hospital offers world-class tertiary care by blending the concepts of ‘Evidence Based Guidelines’, modern-day technology, notable clinical expertise and unparalleled infrastructure. I am looking forward to establishing the facility as a well-noted centre and preferred destination amongst those seeking superlative care, in line with international standards,” said Dr. P Mohanakrishnan.

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