In response to recent incidents of alleged malpractice, Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) in Pune has implemented strict new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for its casualty ward. These measures, developed by a committee appointed by the new dean of BJ Medical College (BJMC), Dr. Chandrakant Mhaske, aim to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in hospital operations.
The decision to update the SOPs follows the suspension and arrest of two doctors and a staff member for allegedly tampering with blood samples from a minor involved in a fatal car crash in Kalyaninagar on May 19. This incident prompted hospital authorities to take action swiftly, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms to prevent similar incidents.
The five-member committee, led by Dr. Murlidhar Tambe from the Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) department, has developed a new set of SOPs to enhance oversight and accountability in the casualty ward. These protocols, which will be put into effect on Tuesday, cover various aspects of hospital operations, including sample collection, staff training, and medication management.
One key provision in the SOPs is the establishment of the Chief Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) role, responsible for supervising operations in the casualty ward. Additionally, steps will be taken to ensure transparent sample collection procedures for medicolegal cases, with samples being sent directly to forensic laboratories for analysis.
To ensure staff readiness in handling emergencies, the SOPs require emergency department personnel to undergo refresher training and participate in mock drills. The drug store will also be staffed 24/7, with a three-month supply of essential medications available at all times to guarantee uninterrupted patient care.
Dr. Mhaske has stressed the importance of oversight and security by appointing senior doctors as Chief CMOs to provide regular updates to hospital management. To enhance security measures, security personnel will be rotated regularly, with additional staff deployed to sensitive areas to improve surveillance and prevent unauthorized activities.
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