HYDERABAD: Patients with heavily bleeding fresh wounds and fractures undergo further excruciating experience if they were to undergo surgery at Septic Operation Theatres (SOT) at Gandhi Hospital, as hydraulic operation tables are not working.
Since hydraulic tables-which move up, down, tilt left and right-are not working, two people have to lift the patient from a stretcher and place him or her on defunct hydraulic operation table. If this is done to a patient with injuries or who has cervical-neck fracture, it puts them under more pain.
In the orthopedic OT, if doctor wants patient’s position to be elevated, stretcher is lifted and a stool is placed under one end of its base. All this is done when patient is on stretcher.
Besides additional pain, there is every chance for a patient to contract infection if operated in the OTs, as rusted stretchers double up as operation tables here. In the OTs which can be dubbed as house of horrors, some surgical equipment which are used in surgeries, are rusted and insufficient in number, sources said.
Surgical scissors have become blunt, needle holders developed gaps and cannot hold needles. Besides, X-Ray lobby is not available at the orthopedic OT. Doctors hold X-Ray films against tubelight to check for fractures. “But hairline fractures cannot be detected if seen against tube light,” doctors said. Of two, only one operation light is working.
At times, while performing surgeries, doctors use phone torch light for more visibility. Patients who require amputations, septic treatment, wound dressing, casting on fractured parts, visit SOT- which records at least 50 cases a day.
Patients continue to wait in corridors
On October 9, when Telangana health minister Dr C Laxma Reddy visited Gandhi Hospital, he found patients waiting in first floor corridors of emergency block and instructed officials to take measures so that patients don’t have to wait. Till today, patients continue to wait at corridors. Though sufficient surgeons and orthopedicians are available, they cannot clear patient load as they do not have resources.
“At times, surgeons and orthopedicians will have time but they cannot attend to patients waiting in corridors as sufficient operation tables, equipment are not available. Also, only one ward boy is allotted for the SOT which has three OTs,” sources said. On Wednesday too, attendants of patients were found waiting in corridors for wound dressing. “We have been waiting for around an hour to get my son’s fractured leg dressed,” an attendant said.
Equipment will be bought, says dy superintendent
Deputy superintendent of Gandhi Hospital Dr G Narasimha Rao Netha said that a proposal detailing requirement of equipment was submitted by the General Surgery department and the equipment will be bought using hospital fund. “Three modern operation theatres for general surgery, anesthesia, are almost approved. Works will begin soon,” Dr Narasimha Rao said.
Why patients at Gandhi Hosp OTs are at great risk
Rusted stretchers double up as operation tables in Septic Operation Theatre. Some rusted surgical equipment are used too Since autoclave is not working, boiler is used for sterilising surgical equipment Air conditioners are not working. Some surgeries last for four to eight hours. Sweat from surgeons forehead can fall into part which is being operated.
Aseptic temperature cannot be maintained Oxygen ports not available for waiting patients Thrash bins at OTs overflowing with medical waste; cleaned only in evenings