PGI to give patients different time slots for investigations, diagnostic tests

With most patients having to wait for hours for their turn for a test, and stand in long queues to pay the fee of the test, give samples, take receipts, the New OPD witnesses a lot of rush.

As per Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration), PGI, for 24X7 testing there is a need for more staff, and as patients must wait or keep coming back for tests, several resources are utilised.

As about 10,000 patients visit PGI OPDs a day, a new order from the office of the director of PGI states that to avoid overcrowding and the spread of infection, different time slots may be preferred in the interest of patients.

Generally, patients are given appointments for investigations/diagnostic tests at the same time resulting in overcrowding in corridors.

With most patients having to wait for hours for their turn for a test, and stand in long queues to pay the fee of the test, give samples, take receipts, the New OPD witnesses a lot of rush.

Keeping this in view, it has been decided that patients will be given a time slot, a separate day and time for these tests.

As per a senior faculty, overcrowding also increases the risk of infections, and as patients come from across the region, time slots and appointments will help them plan their travel, with outstation patients getting an appointment or slot that saves them frequent travel to the institute.

The common investigations include biopsy, CT scans, MRIs, and other tests, based on which the treatment is planned, and with most tests not done after 1 pm, the waiting time gets longer, or patients have to come back to PGI for the test.

As per Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration), PGI, for 24X7 testing there is a need for more staff, and as patients must wait or keep coming back for tests, several resources are utilised.

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In another order, it has been again emphasised that the OPDs/clinics at the institute are not starting on the scheduled time, have long breaks periods in between or are being stretched well beyond the scheduled timings.

Effective time management, states the office order to heads of departments and faculty, is vital for providing high-quality healthcare. It saves time of patients waiting and decreases job-related stress, with work completed on time, and without hindrance. The order further stresses effective time management, appropriate utilisation, redistribution of manpower and minimising waiting time.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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