Delhi AIIMS directs clinical departments to increase ICU/HDU beds by February 28

New Delhi: To deliver quality medical care to patients in an emergency, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has ordered all the clinical departments to create their small Intensive care unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU) within their wards by February 28. 

An order issued by the AIIMS director Prof M Srinivas on Wednesday stated that the institute possesses less than 10% of ICU and HDU beds, so creating more such units would help it provide patients with quality care.

“AIIMS, New Delhi, is the apex quaternary care national public healthcare facility and is expected to deliver medical care to the sickest patients from across the country. For the same, it is essential to have an optimal number of ICU/ HDU beds,” reads the order.

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“It is noted that currently, the percentage of ICU and HDU beds in AIIMS, New Delhi, is less than 10%. This number is contemplated to rise above 30% after the implementation of the AIIMS master plan. However, in the interim, there is a requirement to make a concerted effort to augment our critical care capacity by converting a few existing ward beds to ICU and HDU beds. This shall also help us transition to a higher critical care capacity in a graded manner,” it further added.

The initiative will help many patients that come to the hospital every day in need of emergency treatments.

All clinical departments have been directed to create their own ICU and HDU within their wards by optimising space planning within the existing wards, efficient utilisation of existing human resources by implementing task shifting and sharing approach.

Besides, optimally utilising existing medical equipment and procuring new medical equipment if required by projecting the same in the department budget for FY 2023-24. Additionally, augmenting the number of beds on which medical gas supply is available by requesting additional oxygen/vacuum/air points if required from the manifold services.

“All clinical departments are requested to complete this exercise by February 28, 2023, and submit their projections for augmentation of ICU and HDU beds for the year,” the order said.

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