Umesh Isalkar |
The Union health ministry had on December 21, 2016 issued an office memorandum warning against reuse of disposable surgical items, particularly in cardiology , when they are meant for one-time use. “The disposable items after one procedure are sterilised and reused and (patients) are charged full amount for these items,“ stated the memo.
It said, “Reuse of disposable items, particularly in cardiology and other specialities, is not permitted in healthcare organisations empanelled under CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme).“ It goes on to warn of `suitable action including withdrawal of CGHS empanelment’ against defaulters.The memo, however, did not talk about action against big corporate hospitals that are not empanelled under CGHS.
Activist Sanjeev Dabhade said, “It is good to keep an eye.Alittle strengthening of surveillance makes things fall in place. Nobody can firmly say that there is not a single hospital in Pune that does not reuse disposables.“ All disposable items have instructions on the packaging saying they should be used only once.
February 24, 2017 at 9:42 pm
The hospitals are using disposables many times causing health care problems to the patients. They are collecting money from the patients for new items