PGI to get autoanalyser for OPD patients

In a bid to cope up with the heavy rush at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER),authorities have decided to install an autoanlayser exclusively for the outpatient department (OPD). The autoanalyser,which can process a significant number of blood reports simultaneously,will be made operational from mid-October. Though there is an autoanalyser machine operational in PGIMER,it has to handle blood samples of both OPD and indoor patients. The hospital authorities have also decided to increase the timing of blood collection in the OPD once the machine starts functioning.

“The autoanalyser will definitely help in reducing the massive rush in the OPD,” the incharge of OPD at the PGIMER and Assistant Professor Dr R K Sharma said. “The machine can conduct hundreds of blood tests in minutes which will help the patients and they will not need to revisit the hospital for collecting the report and subsequent consultation with the concerned doctor.”

According to hospital authorities,on an average over 4,000 patients visit the OPD daily from various states of the country and many among them are always advised to undergo blood tests before starting any treatment. There are also 1,500 indoor patients in the hospital.

“On a normal day if a patient is asked to undergo a blood test,it takes at least two days before he or she gets the report from the laboratory. And after getting the report the patients has to revisit the doctor which swells the rush. Now once the autoanalyser becomes operational exclusively in the OPD it will help us process almost all the blood samples and the patients can see their doctors the same day. This will help us reduce the heavy rush,” Dr Sharma said.