Ending the blame-game between resident doctors and nurses over collection of blood samples of patients, AIIMS administration has finally agreed to appoint phlebotomists (experts to procure blood samples of patients). The decision was taken in a general body meeting (GBM) with the AIIMS administration on Tuesday. For the past few months, a tussle was going on between AIIIMS’ resident doctors over the issue hampering patient-care services.
AIIMS RDA general secretary Dr Harjit Singh Bhatti told The Pioneer, “In a GBM with Director AIIMS on Tuesday, the administration has decided to appoint phlebotomists dedicated for collecting blood samples.”
The technical work such as generation of barcode and to prepare vile would be done by nursing staff, informed Dr Bhatti. He added that earlier this work was done resident doctors due to which a lot time was wasted and patient care was affected mostly.
According to RDA general secretary, there is no fixed time for the resident doctors to work. Residents are forced to work continuously without any weekly off. “We want AIIMS to implement the Central Residency Scheme, which says that a resident doctor is supposed to work for 48 hours per week provided with post duty off and weekly off.”
The three AIIMS hostel for resident doctors which are under construction will be completed till November 30 this year, informed Dr Bhatti.
For AIIMS emergency department, at least 25 phlebotomists are required to collect blood samples, a doctor said. The department is also reeling under the acute shortage of resident doctors. “We have only 6 resident doctors at the emergency department whereas there should be at least 25 doctors present any moment. One can imagine how administration is neglecting patient care,” said the doctor. Here at emergency, there is a waiting of about 100 patients to be consulted by a doctor at any time, added a doctor.