The RG Kar Hospital incident has outraged the entire nation. From Doctors Federations to Police/ CBI to Courts to General Public everyone is concerned today. The incident has shamed the entire Nation. The recent mob attack on the Emergency Department of R G Kar Hospital has made it further abominable. Many are saying it has cast a shadow on the Independence Day Celebrations. The world is looking at India with disdain. No doubt there are questions about humanitarian, justice, law & order, civil society dispensations but a practical approach on prevention is the call of the day. How can India, as a nation, assuage and assure the citizens. We, Indians are all survivors of this horrible carnage but mere expression of sorrow and sympathy will not suffice. A practical way to manage future potential episodes or at least minimize them is what is the call today.
In this connection, it is felt some processes need to be introduced into the Health Delivery Platforms. The Hospital as a service delivery model is under tremendous pressure on various fronts. However, the Security aspects of the Human Resources manning Hospitals have come under the lens for some time now. Doctors, Paramedics, Nursing Staff have complained that they are at the receiving end of attacks launched by Patient Relatives, Uniformed Personnel, Politicians, Touts et al. In order to effectively deal with this particular issue certain Standard Operating Procedures can be adopted from the Corporate Sector who use them to manage sensitive areas in factories, godowns, stores, workshops, warehouses etc. Some immediate steps for Hospital Administration/ Management to consider are:
An immediate Security Audit should be done at all Hospitals nationwide by external, expert Consultants. The individual reports should be submitted to IMA who should monitor time-bound compliance. Introducing the Buddy System for Doctors, Paramedics, Nursing Staff at least in Night Shifts. These personnel need to work in Pairs and support each other. Introduce a Security Central Control Room with adequate surveillance, communication. CCTV TV, Motion Sensor Monitoring linked to Central Control Room should be in place. A small Rapid Action Force, maybe of Private Security Staff should be always present in the precincts of the hospital. ‘Hotline’ to Police Control Room with multiple layers of communication channels. Every Hospital Staff should have a special Emergency Button earmarked on their Mobile Phones, Pagers, Walkie Talkie to alert in case of dire situation/ Crisis the control room/ police control room. Ensure compulsory reporting every half hour on pressing the designated Key of Mobile. Non-reporting will require checking welfare of the non-reporting personnel. Protocols can be worked out on Coded Messages to be communicated to concerned others in case of imminent danger. Orientation Programmes to be conducted for fresh inductees on Security Protocols. Regular classes on self-protection to be provided especially to women employees of hospitals. Provide Free Cans and Train women personnel on use of Pepper Spray. Special alarm switches should be placed in sensitive areas. Divide entire Hospital Premises into zones and demarcate sensitive areas. Strictly adhere to protocols of No Entry Zones. Provide separate Rooms for Men and Women with Capsule Beds for Rest. Change Protocols regularly to avoid leakage to potential troublemakers. In case of regular occurrences introduce Bouncers to send out message that someone is there to prevent. Put up Posters in OPD/Patient Attendant Doctor interaction areas on Code of Conduct and consequences of Non-Adherence.
The Hospital System whether in Corporate or Government Sector can generate reasonable ROI and should be adopted by Corporates as JVs. CSR funds can also be a source of funding for hospitals. IT Companies can develop specialised Hospital Security Software which are inexpensive, easy to install and Operate. Introduce special Insurance Packages for Hospital Personnel which takes care of injuries, layoff from duty and death in line of duty.
Regular interaction/seminars with Corporate Houses, Security Agencies, CISF etc. to learn the latest in security aspects. Lastly, the Senior Administrative/ Medical Staff should instill confidence in juniors by walking the talk.
