Enhancing Patient Safety through Bar-Code Medication
Glaucoma, popularly known as Kala Motia or the silent thief of sight, is a condition where increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve and affects central vision. Our eye contains a fluid called aqueous which nourishes the front part of our eyes. In a healthy eye, the amount of aqueous matches the amount of drainage, thereby maintaining ocular pressure. With age and other related diseases, the fluid channels may get blocked, upsetting the optimal intraocular pressure, and end up damaging the optic fibre. Silently, glaucoma starts damaging our peripheral vision and gradually leads to complete vision loss.
The right hip and knee were operated upon in the first session. 48 hours after the first surgery, when the patient was comfortable and found to be fit, the second surgery i.e. the left hip and knee joint replacement was performed. The patient, who was incapable of sitting up straight for the last two years, could sit upright with a little back support four hours following the surgery and could stand up on the second postoperative day. The patient was discharged one-week post-op. Intense rehabilitation was done and the patient walked into the OPD, with the support of a walker, for suture removal three weeks after the surgery. In her sixth week follow up, she could walk with the help of a walking stick. From being bedridden and resigned to a vegetative life was a life-changing experience for the patient. Today, six years after the surgery the patient is a socially active, productive member of society and leads a thriving life.
However, in addition to the obvious orthopedic issues there were insidious problems of poor hygiene resulting in severe fungal infection in the perineal area. The patient and her family were counseled about the treatment plan. A great deal of teamwork was required in this case. The Endocrinology team had to work on diabetes control; the Cardiology team had to address blood pressure issues, and Dermatology intervention was required to treat the fungal infection in the perineal area. All these issues were addressed in three days after which she was declared fit for surgery. The joint replacement was planned in a phased manner because of the involvement of all four joints. It was decided to operate on both joints of one side first, followed by the opposite side surgery in the second phase.
The right hip and knee were operated upon in the first session. 48 hours after the first surgery, when the patient was comfortable and found to be fit, the second surgery i.e. the left hip and knee joint replacement was performed. The patient, who was incapable of sitting up straight for the last two years, could sit upright with a little back support four hours following the surgery and could stand up on the second postoperative day. The patient was discharged one-week post-op. Intense rehabilitation was done and the patient walked into the OPD, with the support of a walker, for suture removal three weeks after the surgery. In her sixth week follow up, she could walk with the help of a walking stick. From being bedridden and resigned to a vegetative life was a life-changing experience for the patient. Today, six years after the surgery the patient is a socially active, productive member of society and leads a thriving life.
