COVID Has Changed Concept Of Critical Care, Says Expert At SUMUM Workshop In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: COVID pandemic has changed the concept of critical care and ventilator has started playing a major role, said Prof Datteswar Hota, vice-chancellor of Odisha University for Health Sciences, on Saturday.

Dr Hota was speaking at the inaugural function of a two-day national workshop on mechanical ventilation organised at the SUM Ultimate Medicare (SUMUM) in Bhubaneswar.

“The subject of critical care has taken centre-stage because of COVID and now the stage has been set for introduction of smart care ventilators,” he said. The patient-ventilator relationship has assumed significance and it would get a big boost because of Artificial Intelligence, he added.

Dr Banambar Ray, SUMUM’s Head, Department of Critical Care and organising chairman of the event, said the workshop has provided the participants the opportunity for one-to-one interaction with the faculties while offering them simulation based learning. “This kind of academic event has never been conducted in the state before,” he said adding that it provided the participants the required knowledge and practice to start and manage their patients on ventilators.

As many as 73 clinicians and intensivists from across the country are attending the workshop. It has been organised by W4C Critical Care Foundation in collaboration with the Bhubaneswar city branch of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine and SUM Ultimate Medicare.

Dr Swetapadma Dash, CEO of SUMUM, said the workshop would remain an essential milestone not only for SUMUM but also for the healthcare delivery in the state. “It is expected to provide highly informative and valuable
experience to all participants and enhance their skill and knowledge,” she said.

The inaugural programme was also addressed by Dr Narendra Rungta, Founder Chairman and Managing Trustee of Critical Care Foundation, Jaipur; Brig (Dr) Biraj Mohan Mishra, Chief, Medical Services, SUMUM, and Dr Anand Mishra, Senior Consultant, Critical Care Medicine, SUMUM.

The subjects, which would be discussed at the workshop, included basic respiratory physiology, approach to respiratory failure, oxygen delivery devices, heart-lung interactions, basic modes and initiation of mechanical ventilation, ventilator graphics and physiology and complications on mechanical ventilation.