A report yesterday suggested that hospitals were turning away patients with a SpO2 (oxygen saturation) level of 85-90. This was mainly due to civic-run and private hospitals capping SpO2 requirements depending on the patient. It seems like most of these problems could soon be rectified thanks to the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) deciding to install liquid oxygen tanks at 14 locations across Mumbai.
It is said that platforms for the construction of these liquid oxygen tanks have been completed and the rest of the work is expected to be finished by next week. Included among the 14 locations are Nair Hospital, Sion, KEM, as well as the jumbo COVID-19 facilities set up across the city.
“Oxygen demand in most hospitals has increased by nearly five times. We are installing the tanks at these hospitals to provide additional support. The tanks will also be installed at our jumbo Covid-19 facilities where we have ICU and oxygen beds,” Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu said.
Also read - Thane Gets A New COVID-19 Hospital In Balkum
With hospitals usually receiving a piped supply of oxygen, several institutions are reporting a shortage over the past few months. This is mainly due to the surge in patients requiring oxygen as well as ICU support as a result of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
An official from a civic-run hospital said that they are required to refill oxygen daily or sometimes even twice a day while in the past, refilling was only done every 2-3 days. It’s been apparent for quite some time now that civic institutions are overburdened with the treatment of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.
On the other hand, there have been discrepancies reported in the conduct of private hospitals, with the Bombay High Court seeking an investigation into the overcharging of a family for less than 20 days of treatment at J K Somaiya hospital. The court asked the BMC to ascertain if other families or patients went through the same ordeal at the institution.
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