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Hospital or picnic spot? THINK IT oVer

Show concern But in ways that don’t interfere with patient care

Hospitals call it the Return-The-Visit-Syndrome. “He came when I was in hospital. Now that he’s hospitalised, we must visit him.” The problem, say doctors, is “we” can be anything from two to twenty.

Managing visitors is now a major part of hospital administration. From simple crowding to scary assaults on doctors, hospitals prepare for all emergencies. The numbers milling around even on large campuses can be intimidating, they say. People shout, eat, throw leftovers, allow kids to play around. Add to this the cellphone menace; you get a picture of a beautifully-designed, well-equipped, modern hospital turning into a picnic spot during visiting (sometimes non-visiting) hours. “Transit stations,” suggested a medico.

Ask Dr. Mohan Das of MIOT about visitor behaviour. “A doctor could be examining a patient, and people barge in with a ‘Hello doctor, how are you?’ Whole families arrive when a member needs treatment. One family from a suburb brought their TV set along. ‘We have to watch TV serials, doctor!’ Do we need gun-toting guys to get people into queues? Why do people think they have diplomatic immunity to hospital rules?”

Mob behaviour is a symptom of anxiety, docs admit. A factory accident, a hundred colleagues accompany the injured man. The poor doctor has to fight for space among “close” friends to examine the guy. “We do resuscitation with entire families by the bedside!” Dr. Mohandas said. Emergency doctors and nurses have been assaulted and wheeled in for surgery. In case of DOA, it’s a lot worse. Words like, “If anything happens to my brother, you will meet with the same fate” have had hospitals call the police. “We keep explaining the dangers of infection and interference.” Visitors are untouched.

“It’ll help if friends and relatives don’t ask too many questions during the golden hour after a heart attack,” said Dr. S.N. Narasingan who has clinics in Royapuram and Alwarpet. “Our primary aim is to save life. Let us do our work. Put off the quiz ‘ECG? Angio? Bypass?

Another hospital?’ A visitor said, ‘He borrowed money from me. I have a right to know if he’ll survive.’ Visitor numbers should be restricted.”

“We’ve found visitors sleeping on the patient’s bed, while he sits in a chair,” said Dr. Mohandas. “On surgery day, entire neighbourhoods raid the hospital. One such group barged into the lift and beat up the liftman. The poor patient, thoroughly embarrassed, began apologising to the surgeon, who, completely clueless, said, “It’s our duty sir. We do surgeries every day!” The patient’s pulse rate rose and the procedure had to be postponed.”

Food is a bone of contention. Surgery patients are put on a light diet to prevent stomach infections and bloating. But families bring tiffin-carriers stuffed with goodies. “We have to seize the contraband.” Visitors enter rooms wearing street footwear. Sit around the patient, eat, chat.

“Family and friends provide important emotional support, facilitate recovery,” said Dr. Mahesh Vakamudi, COO, Sri Ramachandra Medical. “Visiting patients is cultural. Hospitals should gear up for the visitor surge.” Yet, it clogs the system when lifts, lobbies and bathrooms are filled. SRM distributes patient information booklets, still they ask, “Can a second attendant sleep here?” Doctors get nervous at crowds outside ICUs. “How much can we disclose?” We’re partners in patient care, he pointed out. “The hospital has a routine that must be followed.” Added Dr. Narasingan, “No physician would want to make a mistake. Trust us.”

Dr. Mahesh defined the roles of attendants and visitors. “An attendant can check if the medicines are given on time, ask questions if medication is changed. He can brief the one replacing him. He can prevent falls. An informed attendant helps in patient recovery.” Visitors must use the Sterillium available to wash hands while entering and leaving the hospital room, avoid touching/kissing the patient.

There are other ways to show concern, suggest doctors. “Go out and pray. Take care of kids at home. Clean the house to receive discharged patient. Make it easier for her to convalesce and recuperate. ” Miss Golda, a veteran nurse said, “Keep your visit to just a few minutes. You want the patient to return home quickly, right?”

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