PGI Chandigarh Proposes 24/7 Diagnostic Services to Cut Patient Wait Times
Round-the-clock Diagnostic Services at PGIMER
Chandigarh: In an effort to enhance diagnostic services, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, is considering implementing round-the-clock operations. This initiative, designed to reduce the long waiting times for essential tests, is still in the early stages of development, according to Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration) of PGIMER.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, PGIMER deputy director (administration) Pankaj Rai said, “A full-fledged proposal for the round-the-clock diagnostic services has yet to be prepared. We are considering giving it to a public sector undertaking (PSU) via a tender process. For a PSU to run the PGIMER lab, we’ll have to look into the modalities.”
With thousands of patients visiting the Outpatient Department (OPD) daily, the demand for diagnostic services such as imaging tests and lab analyses far exceeds the current capacity.
The counter for imaging services such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, mammographies, ultrasounds, and blood and urine sample collections is only open from 8 am to 1 pm daily. More than 1,000 samples are being collected each day for tests across various disciplines including haematology, biochemistry, endocrinology, immunology, and microbiology, the short hours have left many patients struggling to get the necessary tests in time for timely diagnoses and treatment.
One poignant example of this issue is the case of Vinod Kumar and his wife, who were left in distress over the health of their unborn child. Vinod, a resident of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh, took his wife to PGIMER for a check-up.
After a consultation in room number 2032, they were instructed to undergo the ultrasound in room number 105. However, despite waiting until 2 pm, they were informed that the ultrasound would not be possible that day due to the high number of patients.
The following day the couple arrived before time at 8 am for the ultrasound but had to wait until 2 pm for their turn. Commenting on this Vinod told the Hindustan Times that his wife, who was six months pregnant, was facing some complications, and the ultrasound needed to be done within three to four days for the treatment. They might be required to abort the child depending on the severity. If the services were available 24x7, their critical time would have been saved, added Vinod.
Many patients including, a 32-year-old patient from Ludhiana, have faced similar problems. He had come to PGIMER for a CT scan, only to find that the counter closed before he could secure an appointment. Despite his best efforts to make it on time, by 3 pm, the counter had shut, and he was forced to return home without a test date.
These incidents highlight the difficulties patients face in securing radiological and lab test appointments during odd hours, as diagnostic services are currently available only during fixed hours in the OPD. Meanwhile, medical tests are offered round-the-clock solely in emergency and trauma centres.
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As the demand for diagnostic services grows, other hospitals in India have successfully adopted the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to extend the reach and availability of critical medical services. One example is AIIMS, New Delhi, which has entrusted the operation of its laboratory and pharmacy at its outreach OPD in Badsha village, Haryana, to a public sector unit (PSU).
According to Hindustan Times, the deputy director said having round-the-clock diagnostic services wouldn’t affect the current system at PGIMER. Upon asking about the cost of tests, he said the cost would be the same, however, things would become clearer after seeing the modalities.
