Gleneagles Global Hospitals Launches Covid-19 Home Care Services for Covid-19 Patients
*Pioneering tertiary care hospital’s program brings Covid-19 management to the safety of patient’s home using technology
As the pandemic grows and number of cases swells in major metros, the healthcare system is stretched to its limits. With more and more people getting infected and the virus spreading exponentially, our country’s hospital infrastructure is been challenged. Keeping this in view and based on the fact that 70-80% of people afflicted with coronavirus have no or mild symptoms, Gleneagles Global Hospitals & Continental Hospitals have designed Covid- 19 Home Care Services for patients who do not require hospitalization.
Through this comprehensive program designed by top experts in infectious disease management and intensive care, the patient can be monitored through an online portal and any worsening of symptoms can be identified and attended to at the earliest. This majority of patients, who do not have severe symptoms, only need to isolate themselves at home and monitor symptoms- ensuring that they do not spread the disease.
In case, a patient is having symptoms or has been diagnosed with Covid-19, they can reach the hospital where they will undergo a “Risk Assessment” to evaluate their condition and judge severity of symptoms. This is an essential assessment as it highlights whether a patient is fit for Home Care or requires hospitalization. If the patient does not require hospitalization, they enrol for the program and are given access to a portal where they can update their daily vitals like temperature, SPO2, pulse rate etc. These are monitored by a fully trained designated nurse and a doctor on the daily basis, to ensure that the patient is healthy and following the program. Every alternative day these doctors do consultation via VideoConsult platform and nurses do Telecall every day with their patients to keep track over their health condition. During these calls, the patient can discuss their condition and update on any new developments.
“Since most of the patients with Covid- 19 do not require hospitalization, our team of doctors and nurses can manage these patients from the safety of their home. As long as the patients are compliant and following all the basic instructions, they can recover within a period of 14 days and become symptom- free again. The combination of initial risk assessment, daily follow ups and a clear manual on do’s and don’ts for the patient and the caregiver makes this program extremely robust and comprehensive” said Dr Subramanian Swaminathan, Chairperson, Infection Control Advisory Board- Group, Gleneagles Global Hospitals & Program Director.
The key feature of this program is an educational video and manual on do’s and don’ts for the patient and the caregiver- for them to better understand their responsibilities and be fully compliant to the program. The caregiver’s responsibility is probably the highest, both towards the patient and caring for them and also towards themselves- maintaining optimal hygiene and ensuring that they do not transfer the disease to themselves and others.
The Covid-19 Home Care Services are available for all patients with minor symptoms and those who are undergoing home isolation. On enrolling for the program, the patient also receives a Home Monitoring Kit, which has been assembled by the hospital for patient convenience, consisting of a digital thermometer, pulse oximeter, gloves, hand sanitizer, masks and recording sheet. Designed by India’s top medical experts in the field and powered by digital technology and daily monitoring, this program is exactly what is needed for a majority of patients diagnosed with Covid-19.
