GMC Srinagar orders 4 surprise night inspections every month

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: The Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has ordered four surprise night inspections every month at its associated hospitals, with the exercise aimed at checking emergency preparedness and identifying deficiencies affecting patient care during evening and night hours.

As per the directives issued, the night inspections will be conducted between 8 pm and 7 am, with the exact timing to be kept confidential and varied to prevent advance knowledge.

The inspections will particularly focus on Emergency/Casualty services, where hospitals experience substantial patient inflow during evening and night hours.

The inspections will assess the availability and deployment of doctors and paramedics, emergency drugs and equipment, diagnostic services, oxygen, patient flow, cleanliness, sanitation, security and crowd management, besides overall emergency readiness.

The Medical Superintendents of associated hospitals have been assigned four surprise night inspections each month.

They have also been directed to conduct three administrative rounds every day, including a mandatory round at 5 pm ahead of the evening patient-flow peak.

The order specifically directs hospital authorities to pay attention to the 7 pm to 11 pm period, particularly in Emergency/Casualty sections, with emphasis on triage, deployment of doctors and paramedics, emergency medicines and equipment, diagnostics, oxygen, patient flow, cleanliness and security.

Besides the night inspections, MSS will be required to conduct at least one inspection during daytime on a holiday every month.

The inspection system also assigns responsibilities to other officers.

Personnel Officers will conduct two regular and two night inspections a month, while FA-cum-CAOs and Accounts Officers have been assigned one regular and one night inspection each month.

Administrative Officers will conduct two regular and one night inspection every month. Heads of Departments may undertake inspections as required.

The Administrator has been assigned one Grand Inspection every month and two surprise inspections every month, covering institution-wide and systemic functioning.