Nobody can dispute the impeccable healthcare services offered at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, but the hassles the patients, especially at Out Patient Department (OPD) is also a known fact. Keeping in mind the unprecedented rise in the number of patients and easing some discomfort, the premier medical hub is planning to start online appointments based on date and time for its Out Patient Department (OPD).
It is reported that to start with PGI has selected one department and the trial is expected to begin in 15 days.
He also added, “Several time slots would be available. A patient can choose from those slots for a particular department.” He, however, pointed out that appointments would be based on the department not doctor.
Sources in the PGI’s computerisation committee told Chandigarh Newsline that work has begun to provide the date and time-based OPD appointments. “This facility would also help the administration reduce the long queues of patients, who have to wait for hours to get a registration card made at the institute,” said a senior committee member. He also added that as per the plan, slot-based timings would be available for online registrations. “Several time slots would be available. A patient can choose from those slots for a particular department,” stated the official. He, however, pointed out that appointments would be based on the department not doctor.
“If we provide a slot of 1 pm to a patient, we also have to keep the registration counters open at PGI…The administration is working on all these issues before the project begins,” said the official.
Another senior official, privy to the project, said the institute will have to increase the timings of counters for proper implementation. “If we provide a slot of 1 pm to a patient, we also have to keep the registration counters open at PGI…The administration is working on all these issues before the project begins,” said the official.
PGI officials stated that it would take several months for successful implementation of the project at the institute.
PGI is already providing online OPD registrations to patients
Currently, PGI is providing online OPD registrations to patients. A patient, registered online, gets an OPD card made from a separate counter. But, the number of online registrations is much less compared to registrations made at the PGI counters. PGI officials said efforts were on to spread awareness about the online registrations.
The PGI has initiated several steps to manage the huge rush of patients at the OPD. Over 10,000 patients visit the OPD daily. The two main initiatives being taken by the institute are
- Installations of digital display board outside the consultants’ rooms to segregate the patients and
- Setting up kiosks for their registration.
Online date and time based appointments if done successfully will definitely ease the discomfort of patients and their accompanying visitors.
Source: The Indian Express
Image Credits: Google Images
Also Read: OPD timings of Chandigarh Hospitals Changed
