dr Sushila Kataria, Medanta doctor, on treating 14 Italian coronavirus patients | Updated 2023
With the rapid increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus in India, there is an immediate need for adjustment social distancing And maintaining hygiene. We called to find out more about how doctors and hospitals are dealing with the virus and what to do during these testing times dr Sushila Kataria, Senior Director – Internal Medicine of Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram. dr Kataria and her team also received recognition Treatment of fourteen Italian patients who were initially diagnosed with the infectious virus – one of the first such cases in the country. Previously, Dr. Sushila Kataria Raised Awareness About Coronavirus Through an Interview with Credihealth. Check out what Dr. Kataria shared about COVID-19, what it is, how it spreads, what symptoms you may face and what preventive measures everyone should follow.
When asked about preparing for the COVID-19 outbreak and the Italian patients, Dr. Sushila “On March 4th, the PMO applied Dr Trehan to accommodate the fourteen Italian coronavirus patients at Medanta and after speaking with Dr. Trehan, we accepted the challenge. We originally thought of conducting preparedness drills inside the hospital, but under the circumstances we had to speed up the process. Luckily we had a floor free and recently renovated. We had about five hours to craft isolation rooms on this floor. We managed to establish protocols, identify clean and infected areas, and provide dedicated rooms for doctors, nurses, and other staff.”
“We worked on creating treatment protocols as everything was new. The infection takes some time to manifest and within two to three days the symptoms became severe. We’ve set up intensive care units here and there on the isolated floor and placed telemedicine monitor carts over the patients to keep an eye on them at all times. I have coordinated with her embassy and family and have kept them informed of any developments. Gradually most of them got better and now 14 of them are healthy and back home“ she says.
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While discussing changes in her routine, Dr. Kataria “My routine has changed a lot. I’ll be here at the hospital at 8 o’clock. I avoid meeting the staff in my room and if necessary I make sure they keep their distance. Then I put on my overalls, wear the protective suit and go to the isolation ward. There I manage my patients, check the stats, update them, do all the routine check-ups, which takes almost five hours. I have to shower almost four times a day, especially every time I come out of the isolation wards. I have formed some strong bonds with my patients and staff. When they were worried or scared, I talked to them and solved all their questions. I noticed that the patients who were more anxious and worried had a harder time getting better. But in the end they got better and I’m happy about that.”
When asked about the Signs and symptoms and the risk factors of COVID-19, says dr Kataria, “Infected people have a sore throat, dry cough and mild to moderate fever. Most of them will get better over time, but severe cases will get worse by day 7, 8, 9, and 10. They may experience shortness of breath, low blood pressure and may need ventilation.” She continues, “In my opinion, age is the biggest factor, followed by poorly controlled diabetes. In my patients, high blood pressure or high cholesterol were not risk factors. I believe blood pressure medication may have helped my patients manage the disease.”
dr Sushila also addresses challenges, mentioning: “At the hospital we had to create protocols for everything from scratch, set up an intensive care unit in the isolation ward, monitor an infectious patient 24/7 on a ventilator with limited staff, which was a challenge. I was separated from my family, I ate separately and used a separate bedroom and bathroom, but my children and husband were very helpful, understanding and supportive during this time.”
When asked about diagnostic testing and home quarantine, she says: “Labs will not test for the virus without a doctor’s prescription. One must consult the doctor and only after the doctor has ordered the test can he have the test done. Also, it is important to understand that if you follow all precautions, you are very unlikely to get the infection. Try not to leave your home unnecessarily.”
according to dr Sushila “Home quarantine applies to people suspected of having coronavirus disease, especially if they have been in contact with an infected patient or have a history of travel to one of the infected countries. Anyone who shows symptoms but has tested negative must be in quarantine at home for at least two weeks. They are not allowed to leave their apartment and must keep a distance of at least one meter from all residents of the house. It is best if they use a separate bedroom and bathroom. Doorknobs should be cleaned regularly and the suspect’s clothing and utensils should be washed separately.”
When asked for advice she’s happy to share, Dr. Kataria, “Don’t get impatient, stay home and keep calm. People are more concerned and affected by the fear of the disease and not the disease itself, so don’t get paranoid. This too shall pass.”
India’s Department of Health and Family Welfare has set up coronavirus hotlines. These Covid-19 hotlines were available all day. If necessary, call these helplines:
| National Helpline No | 011-23978046 |
| New Delhi | 011-23385743 |
| Central Delhi | 011-23270151 |
| north | 011-27708768 |
| South | 011-29531277 |
| East | 011-22050908, 22051234 |
| northwest | 011-25951182 |
| southwest | 011-25066674 |
| South East | 011-26476410 |
About dr Sushila Kataria
dr Sushila Kataria is Senior Director of Internal Medicine at Medanta-The Medicine, Gurgaon. She has over 19 years of experience in her field.
She graduated from MBBS from Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences Rohtak in 1997, MD – General Medicine from Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences Rohtak in 2001 and PGDMLS from Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences in 2004.
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