Now, hotels are linked to hospitals for COVID-19 treatment | Things you need to know

Our healthcare system has been buckling under the sheer weight of the calamity that is still playing out. Dearth of oxygen cylinders, ventilators, hospital beds, medicines and even fit and able doctors are challenges that have made the treatment of this deadly virus an uphill task.

On April 14, a notification by the Delhi Government permitted Hotels across the capital to affiliate themselves with Hospital chains across the National Capital Region to augment bed capacity. A timely announcement - this notification gave the hospitality industry, the chance to gear up and prepare themselves to serve the nation during this time of need.

Hotels across Delhi NCR have responded by aligning themselves with hospital chains and equipping themselves with the required infrastructure to care for citizens who need medical attention. While this hybrid solution of hotel-cum-hospital can never provide the infrastructure required to treat those severely affected, the initiative goes a long way in reducing the burden on the healthcare system by taking care of those who have a mild-moderately serious case of COVID and still need medical care and attention.

Here are some tips on who should consider checking themselves into such facilities, what to expect when there, as well as some recommendations of properties to consider.

Who is this facility designed for:

Those who are COVID positive and are symptomatic or have mild symptoms, and would like to quarantine in a facility so as to not infect others in the family.

Those who are COVID positive, live alone, and are unable to take care of themselves or monitor vitals regularly.

Those who are COVID positive with no or mild symptoms but have other health complications like diabetes or BP and need regular monitoring.

For senior citizen with a mild case of COVID who would like to take abundant precaution and be monitored by professionals round the clock

Note:

1. It is not advisable to check yourself into such a facility if your infection is severe and the risks associated with your case are high.

2. For those patients whose oxygen levels are dipping below 90 levels should consult a doctor and try to check themselves into a hospital facility.

What one can expect from Hotel-Hospitals

We would like to reiterate the fact that Hotel-Hospitals are designed to reduce the burden on hospitals by attending to those with mild infection levels only. If comfort, care, and monitoring of condition is what you need, then this is a possible solution for you.

Below is a list of basic facilities that you can expect from a Hotel – Hospital in these times:

1. Monitoring of vitals and SpO2 round the clock

2. Medication Management through the day and night

3. Backing by a partner hospital that will provide the

- 24/7 nursing support

- Doctors on site and / or online

4. Availability and access to Oxygen concentrators and cylinders if needed

5. Pharmacy support

6. On-site partner ambulance

7. 3 Nutritious and healthy meals each day

Some hotels to consider if in need:

1. Golden Tulip Hotel, Gurgaon

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts have joined hands with the NGO 'I am Gurgaon' and Emoha Elder Care and Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram; to create a COVID Care facility in Sector 29 in Gurugram. The 60 bed facility offers an oxygen concentrator per bed, and round the clock support of 18 nurses on the premises who keep a regular check on patients’ vitals. They are accompanied by COVID specialist doctors on site and for online consultations. There are also provisions for virtual entertainment and high speed internet, to uplift the moods of the ones recuperating. An elderly app provides real time updates to family members who wait anxiously at home. With a priority to aid senior citizens overcome this health hurdle, the Sarovar Group goes above an beyond in their hospitality and healthcare offering to make sure that the patient’s stay is as comfortable as possible.

2. Red Fox, Delhi and Gurugram

The Red Fox hotels by the Lemon Tree Group in East Delhi and Sector 60 -Gurugram, have also been converted into patient isolation centres to combat the spread of the virus. With more than 150 rooms, the centre has partnered with Medanta Medicity to provide the first care to patients in hopes to mitigate further spread in their community. The aim is to give patients the immediate first aid required as an early intervention strategy to curb further complications, for which online consultations with Medanta Doctors is also available.

3. Vivanta Hotel, Delhi

The Vivanta Hotel in Dwarka – Delhi, running under the IHCL Group, is another quarantine center in the capital that provides rooms for mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. They have partnered with Venkateshwar Hospital in an attempt to provide the first care to patients and also have a doctor and nurse working 24*7 on site to take care of the ones infected.

4. The Fern Hotel, Mumbai

The Fern Hotel, on the Western Express Highway in Goregaon - Mumbai, has 89 rooms exclusively for police personnel and their families with COVID, that too free of cost as a quarantine and isolation centre. Apart from meals the hotel will also provide the preliminary medical care for those checking in.

5.Clarion Hotel, Chennai

Where last year the hotel had offered a whole block as a helping hand in the fight against the virus and aided nearly 1500 people, this year too the hotel has offered up to 150 rooms for quarantine and isolation purpose. They have round-the-clock doctors and nursing staff on the premises, looking after mildly symptomatic patients sent over from hospitals. Their staff are adequately prepared to handle all necessary COVID-19 protocols. The hotel started operations as a quarantine centre in mid April this year.

We pray that India comes out of the clutches of this virus soon, till then we salute all the front line workers and the ones initiating these endeavours that are providing a much needed service to citizens in this time of crisis.