Karnataka sets up critical care support unit by linking COVID hospitals across state

Bengaluru, Apr 15 () The Karnataka government onWednesday opened a critical care support unit to monitor theprogress of Coronavirus patients in Intensive Care Units(ICUs) of various designated COVID hospitals across theState.

Karnataka is the first state in the country to establisha dedicated unit for critical care support, by linking ICUs ofCOVID hospitals onto a single platform, Medical EducationMinister Sudhakar K, who inaugurated it, was quoted as sayingin a statement.

Its objective is to monitor COVID-19 patients in ICUsacross Karnataka state so that the hospitals are prepared forthe potential onslaught of the virus and thereby to achievezero COVID mortality in Karnataka, he said, adding, it wouldenable capturing details of ICU COVID-19 patients in realtime.

Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, Health andFamily Welfare Department said the unit is monitored by acentralised team of doctors from the department, Medicalcolleges and Interns from KIMS, M S Ramaiah Hospital and Dr BRAmbedkar Medical College.

This team will work around the clock in three shifts tomonitor patients admitted to ICUs.

At the end of each day, the unit will review the progressand implementation of the action plan and share it with higherauthorities for further action.

It also serves as a handholding facility for doctors ininterior parts of the state who may not have access to newtechnologies and will be of immense value in saving a life atthis critical moment, the statement said.

Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Commissioner, Health and FamilyWelfare Department, said as and when the ICU preparedness of adesignated hospital is uploaded in the e-health platform, amedical officer will certify the same.

Details of ICU patients are then uploaded, includingtheir treatment methodology.

Data is then monitored and analysed by experts and thenodal officer is intimated on deviation so that the data canbe compiled and reported to the Taskforce on a daily basis.

This data is of immense help as it allows us to takeprecautionary measures to avoid escalations , Pandey said.

The government is mulling the formation of a team ofexperts, from corporate hospitals in Bengaluru, consisting ofCardiologists, Pulmonologists, Nephrologists and Physicians,the statement said.

The idea is to connect this team of experts with aset of patients in one or more districts so that they canmonitor and advise a suitable line of treatment for thesepatients, it was stated. RS APRRAVINDRANATH APRRAVINDRANATH