Mumbai: The Maharashtra Health Department is conducting a first-of-its-kind audit of all deaths that take place in government medical colleges and the hospitals that are affiliated with them, including those in Mumbai. Strengthening preventive healthcare measures and identifying seasonal disease patterns are the goals of the initiative.
Heads of every medical department have been directed by hospital deans to submit thorough daily reports on patient deaths. The Death Audit Committee will receive the information through Google Forms, which will include the patient's condition at admission, length of hospital stay, and cause of death.
In order to ascertain which diseases are leading to the greatest number of deaths during various seasons, the committee will examine the data. According to a hospital dean, "we will also review the circumstances of admission and other clinical details." Reports will be sent to the Health Department on a regular basis.
The decision follows last year’s uproar over the deaths of patients in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Ghati Hospital, allegedly due to a shortage of medicines. “If a pattern of illness emerges, the required medicines will be arranged in time to avoid a repeat of such situations,” said an administrative official from the State Health Department, adding that over time, the severity of many illnesses has changed, and hospitals must be prepared to handle such challenges.
Officials said the new system will help the Health Department take timely preventive action, while the Medical Education Department can focus on improving hospital management and treatment facilities. “Especially after Covid-19, many people have complained of prolonged illness and weakness. In addition, cases of vector-borne diseases are also on the rise,” the official added.
According to sources, the audit will cover all age groups, from children to senior citizens, and the findings will form the basis of targeted public health strategies across the state.
