A thorough Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been devised by Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to address instances of violence against physicians and hospital vandalism by patients and their families. This project aims to enforce strict adherence to criteria when filing offenses or addressing accusations of medical malpractice, overcharging, or treatment delays against physicians and hospitals. It is described in a circular sent to all police stations. This innovation is a big step in the right direction toward keeping medical facilities orderly and safeguarding medical personnel.
The action was taken in reaction to growing concerns expressed by the Pune Chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) about the prevalence of violence and vandalism that hospitals and physicians have to deal with. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar met with IMA doctors to discuss their predicament and the rise in baseless accusations against medical professionals. These exchanges brought to light the pressing necessity for practical steps to protect the medical community.The SOP specifically covers how to handle situations involving violence against medical personnel and property damage to hospitals. The Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010 directs police stations to take timely and appropriate action. This legislation offers a framework of laws to guard against violence and vandalism against medical personnel and facilities.
The guidelines place a strong emphasis on the necessity of using a systematic process to address complaints pertaining to overcharging, treatment delays, and medical incompetence. Its goal is to stop police officers from harassing doctors with unfounded complaints by making sure they are familiar with SOPs and know how to handle these kinds of situations.The circular requires all hospitals to keep in regular contact with senior police officials and submit their contact details to the appropriate police station. This preventative action aims to improve coordination and quickly resolve any possible problems.
When hospital administrators suspect law-and-order issues, particularly after a patient passes away, they should notify the police right once and ask for more staff. The goal of this proactive strategy is to reduce the possibility of violence and guarantee the security of medical personnel and patients.
The importance of these actions was emphasized by Dr. Sunil Ingale, Chairman of the Action Committee of IMA Pune. He brought out the frequency of unfounded complaints against doctors, which are frequently made with the intention of harassing them, as well as the pressure police officers experience to file these kinds of complaints. It is anticipated that the SOPs’ implementation will give doctors a more secure work environment where they can carry out their responsibilities without worrying about unjustified allegations or physical harm.
The SOPs and circular were also well-received by Dr. Sanjay Patil, Chairman of the Hospital Board of India, Pune Chapter. He emphasized the advantages of a safer practice setting for the medical community. In order to improve coordination and communication, Dr. Patil stated that IMA members intend to visit police stations and create WhatsApp groups with police officers. The goal of this project is to create a strong network that can quickly identify and fix problems, improving collaboration and security in general.
The Pune Police Commissioner’s implementation of SOPs and standards is a critical step in resolving the mounting worries about violence and baseless allegations against physicians and medical facilities. The program aims to improve communication between police stations and medical facilities, as well as to establish a clear framework for managing such incidents. In doing so, it hopes to make the environment safer and more encouraging for medical workers. This action guarantees that patients receive the required care without interruptions from aggression or harassment, in addition to safeguarding the rights and safety of medical professionals. The cooperation between the police department and the IMA is a good illustration of how various organizations can cooperate to address urgent problems and enhance the healthcare system as a whole.
SOURCE:
HINDUSTAN TIMES
