Review usage of ultrasound machines in critical care: Doctors

Agra, Feb 4: Restrictions on use of ultrasound machines in emergency wards and ICUs should be reviewed, as availability of the useful diagnostic tool could save many lives, according to doctors attending a workshop here.

For medical personnel, an ultrasound machine is an extremely useful diagnostic tool, but due to restrictions on its use under the PNDT Act, emergency wards and ICUs are not able to use this technology in the interest of the patients for timely detection of problems, the doctors said.

Treatment can be prompt and accurate if these machines are allowed to be deployed at the critical care units, they added. The workshop has been organised as a part of the 'Global Summit on Critical Care'. The summit has been organised by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) and will be formally inaugurated by HRD Minister Smriti Irani tomorrow.

More than 3,500 delegates from within the country and abroad, including the US, the UK, China and Pakistan will participate in the event, and more than 150 research papers will be presented.

"Doctors specialising in critical care will be updated with latest technical information, and the workshops will focus on 14 new fields of critical care", Dr Ranvir Singh Tyagi, Organising Secretary, World Congress, said. President, ISCCM, Dr ShivaKumar Iyer said that due to the rising number of road accidents it has become necessary to educate people about the basics of critical care.

"A person meeting an accident on the road needs immediate attention and intensive-care. If the person has fainted, artificial breathing, heart massage needs to be given to save a precious life," he said. Chairperson, Scientific Committee of the conference, Dr Deepmala Agrawal said, "This conference will not only help exchange of information on critical care but also give a boost to medical tourism in the City of Taj which is hosting the first Global Summit".

PTI