Cardiac Triage Unit Saves Lives, Eases Hospital Load

A dedicated cardiac triage unit at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has effectively managed 3,049 patients in fewer than five months since its inception on March 9. This specialized service at the Advanced Cardiac Centre's Heart Command aims to provide prompt cardiac care, easing the burden on the main emergency department at Nehru Hospital.

Data reveals that 1,108 patients were directly transferred to the Coronary Care Unit, while 1,513 received same-day stabilization and discharge. The unit also identified and redirected 298 patients with non-cardiac conditions to the appropriate departments. A remarkably low mortality rate of 0.5% was recorded among patients handled by the unit.

Patient volume has steadily increased since the unit's launch, with weekly attendance more than doubling by July. The initiative, led by Professor of Cardiology Dr. Rajesh Vijayvergiya, has proven that a dedicated pathway for cardiac emergencies can improve patient flow and reduce unnecessary admissions without increasing mortality. PGIMER is proposing this model for other tertiary-care hospitals facing similar challenges.