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Karnataka launches Tele ICU to monitor Covid patients in district hospital ICUs

This approach aims to enable specialist doctors in Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, to remotely monitor ICU patients across the state.

BySouth First Desk

Published Jan 10, 2024 | 10:20 PM ⚊UpdatedJan 10, 2024 | 10:20 PM

Currently, there are 19 Covid-positive cases admitted in ICUs across Karnataka. (Wikimedia Commons)

To ensure continuous monitoring of Covid patients in the ICU, the Karnataka government has announced that it will set up a state-wide Tele ICU system. This approach aims to enable specialist doctors in Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, to remotely monitor ICU patients in district hospitals across the state.

The decision was taken during the Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday, 10 January, to review the Covid situation in the state.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced this decision to the media and said that the Department of Medical Education will be in charge of the Tele ICU and that the doctors at Victoria Hospital will ensure that they monitor all Covid 19 patients admitted to ICUs in district hospitals across the state.

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26 Covid deaths

Meanwhile, the Health Minister announced that since 15 December 2023, the state has reported 26 Covid-related deaths. However, he said that the death audit committee has audited 21 deaths out of the 26 and the committee had found only two deaths to be directly related to Covid.

“In 19 others, the finding of Covid has been incidental. Also, all of them had comorbidities,” informed Gundu Rao.

Karnataka also has 19 Covid patients currently admitted in ICUs across the state. The Tele ICU team will be monitoring all these patients.

The minister emphasised that this initiative will enhance the care provided to critical Covid patients, especially in rural and remote areas, by ensuring constant monitoring and timely medical intervention from top specialists.

This move is expected to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility and expertise between urban and rural regions of the state.

The Tele ICU system, equipped with advanced communication technologies, will allow real-time data sharing and consultations, thereby reducing the pressure on local healthcare facilities and improving patient outcomes and possibly preventing mortalities.