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Reasons Why Accessing Emergency Healthcare Can Be Struggle For Indians

While accessing emergency services, a patient has to face many hurdles at each step, starting from calling in the ambulance services in the first place

Written by Kashish Sharma | Published : December 12, 2022 6:26 PM IST

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Hurdles On Way To Emergency Unit

Getting admission to an Indian emergency unit can be a herculean task for many. There might be many factors that contribute to the delay in providing emergency services to patients. Most factors reflect the many loopholes in the healthcare system. The issue is mostly managerial than clinical. While accessing emergency services, a patient has to face many hurdles at each step, starting from calling in the ambulance services. The following are some factors that prevent people from accessing the best healthcare they deserve.

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Inappropriate Use Of Ambulance

Inappropriate ambulance use could be the first reason where the vehicle might be blocked for non-urgent medical reasons. Sometimes people might access the emergency unit despite their symptoms being treatable at the primary care level. This might involve both the ambulance and paramedics unnecessarily in cases where their intervention might not be required. Also Read - Are ultra-processed foods hurting your bones? Study shares key findings

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No Notification System

Most of the ambulances in the country are mere transportation vehicles as they lack trained emergency medical technicians, and many of them also lack crucial facilities such as advanced life support, basic life support, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Many hospitals also lack a well-established notification system that might notify healthcare providers to brace for emergency patients that might be on the way.

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Long Admission Procedures, Overcrowded Emergency Unit

Many hospitals still lack a digital framework that can fasten the admission process. Many hospitals still rely on manual operations that might consume a lot of time. Sometimes the delay can come from the patient due to costly treatment, lack of health insurance and others. Sometimes the patient might have to wait for inpatient beds as the emergency unit could be overcrowded. Other reasons could also be waiting for the on-duty doctor and others. Also Read - Creativity in Early Childhood: How imagination and play boost brain development and academic success in kids

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Multiple Consulations, Wait For A Speciality Doctor

Sometimes multiple consultations can add to the struggle. Sometimes the patient who requires consultation from a speciality is first referred to a resident who might under some hospital policies not be able to call for admission. Also, the chances of meeting senior doctors get even lowered during the night hours when junior doctors are mostly on duty. Also, delays in transferring patients from ED to ICU can increase the chances of readmission and beds occupied for longer periods.