Are you a doctor looking to make a meaningful difference in your community by expanding your hospital’s services? Adding pediatric services could be the perfect next step.
Not only will it broaden your hospital’s capabilities, but it will also provide essential healthcare to children who deserve the best possible care from the very beginning.
However, setting up a pediatric department requires more than just enthusiasm. It demands specialized knowledge, equipment, and a trained team. Whether you’re starting small with a basic pediatric unit or aiming for a full-fledged advanced pediatric service, we’re here to guide you through everything you need to know to make it happen.
Ready to give your young patients the care they deserve? Let’s dive into the essential steps for building a top-notch pediatric unit!
Scope of Pediatric Services
The first step in adding pediatric services is understanding the scope of care your hospital will offer. This will determine the level of resources, staffing, and infrastructure required. Here’s how you can define your hospital’s pediatric service scope:
- Basic or General Purpose Hospitals: These hospitals offer essential services such as outpatient services (OPD), short-stay services like treating dehydration, nebulization, and immunization. Examples of general purpose hospitals include CHC, SDH, District Hospitals, Civil Hospitals, Private Hospitals, and Nursing Homes.
- Advanced or Non-Teaching Hospitals: These hospitals need to be equipped to offer advanced pediatric care, including specialized pediatric services commonly found in regional hospitals, private hospitals, and nursing homes.
Human Resources for Pediatric Care
Pediatric care demands a specific set of human resources to ensure the highest standards of care for young patients. Here are the key roles you need to consider:
Doctors
- Medical Person in Charge: If you’re offering pediatric services, the medical person in charge should have an MD in Pediatrics, DNB, or DCH (Diploma in Child Health). For advanced care, a senior consultant with MD, DNB in Pediatrics should be available.
- Consultants: Both basic and advanced hospitals need full-time or part-time pediatric consultants. You’ll also need a junior consultant or visiting consultant to support the medical team.
- Duty Doctors: Both hospital types require an MBBS doctor to provide round-the-clock medical coverage for pediatric patients.
Nurses
Nurses are a cornerstone of pediatric care. It is essential to ensure that you have:
- General Nurses: In a basic hospital, ensure there is one nurse for every four beds. It’s essential that nurses are well-versed in pediatric care protocols.
- Trained Nurses for ICU/OT/HDU: For critical care, you’ll need nurses specifically trained in pediatric ICU, OT (Operating Theatre), and HDU (High Dependency Unit) settings, certified according to the Nursing Council.
Pharmacist and Para-Medical Staff
- Pharmacist: You may employ a pharmacist in-house or outsource the service. Having an in-house pharmacist is critical for managing medications and drugs tailored for pediatric patients.
- Para-Medical Staff: Essential para-medical professionals include lab technicians, X-ray technicians, ECG technicians, dieticians, and physiotherapists. Some roles, like dieticians, are mandatory in advanced hospitals. If needed, a psychologist or a social worker is also recommended, especially for mental health or family support.
Medical Equipment for Pediatric Care
Equipping your hospital with the right tools is key to offering effective pediatric services. The following equipment is vital:
Therapeutic Equipment for Neonatal Care: For Neonatal Services, ensure your hospital has:
Phototherapy units (1)
Radiant warmers (2)
Suction devices (1)
These devices are essential for treating newborns and infants, especially in cases of jaundice, respiratory distress, and other urgent conditions.
Surgical, Emergency, and Sterilizing Equipment
If your hospital plans to offer pediatric surgeries, it is essential to have surgical equipment specifically designed for children. Additionally, emergency equipment must be readily available to handle pediatric emergencies, including resuscitation devices, ventilators, and crash carts.
Furthermore, sterilization equipment should be in place to ensure the safety and hygiene of the pediatric care environment. To make informed decisions about the appropriate tools and technology for these critical areas, you can explore more on how to choose the right medical equipment here.
Drugs, Medical Devices, and Consumables
Your hospital should maintain an appropriate stock of pediatric drugs, medical devices, and consumables. This includes medications specifically formulated for children, pediatric medical devices, and consumable items such as syringes, catheters, and bandages. To know more about the list of drugs and consumables, check out: How To Open Your Own Level 1A and 1B Hospitals In India: A Complete Guide For Doctors
Maintenance of Equipment
Keep annual maintenance records for all your medical equipment to ensure the equipment remains functional and safe for pediatric use.
See Also: Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) Vs. Paper Records: A Comparative Analysis
Support Services for Pediatric Care
Your pediatric unit requires several support services to deliver comprehensive care:
- Laboratory & Imaging: Having an in-house laboratory or a tie-up with an external lab is essential for pediatric testing (e.g., blood tests, urinalysis). Imaging services (e.g., X-rays, MRIs) are also crucial for diagnosing pediatric conditions.
- Pharmacy: For both basic and advanced hospitals, having an in-house pharmacy is a must. It ensures easy access to medications and medications specifically formulated for children.
- Sterilization and Medical Gas Systems: Sterilization services (CSSD) are essential to prevent infections in pediatric care. Medical gas systems (e.g., oxygen, nitrous oxide) are also vital for emergencies and surgeries.
- Blood Storage and Ambulance Services: Both basic and advanced hospitals must have blood storage units and blood banks. Ambulance services are also necessary to handle pediatric emergencies, ensuring that critically ill children can be safely transported to your facility when needed.
Additionally, make sure your hospital is structured to accommodate pediatric patients. One important aspect is separating male and female patients aged 12 years and above, which is essential for maintaining privacy and comfort, providing a safe and respectful environment for all.
Conclusion
As you embark on expanding your hospital’s services to include pediatric care, this guide provides a clear and comprehensive roadmap to ensure your facility meets the necessary standards for quality pediatric care.
From defining the scope of pediatric services and staffing needs to procuring the right equipment and establishing support services, following these guidelines will help you build a hospital that’s well-equipped to provide exceptional care for children.
By meeting these standards, you can create a trusted and safe environment for pediatric patients and expand your hospital’s reach, ultimately benefiting the entire community.
See Also: Opening A Paediatric Clinic In India: A Comprehensive Guide
