Fortis Hospitals in continuum of its endeavor to building a healthier society, today organized A Basic Life Support (BLS) skills training workshop on the basic steps of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, commonly called CPR at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, EM Bypass Road. BLS is basic medical aid which is offered to people before they reach a hospital or in situations where high-level medical care is not immediately available.

The programme was launched by Mr. Dilip Bandyopadhyay, Deputy Commisioner of Police, Traffic, Dr. Debasish Sharma, Head, Medical Services, Fortis Hospitals and Mr. Jacob George, Head, Non- Medical Services, Fortis Hospitals with an aim to educate the Kolkata Traffic Police on the various ways to provide timely life-saving support to the people in emergency situations. Dr. Arijit Bose, Consultant Emergency Care, Fortis Hospitals led the team of medical experts associated with the BLS Programme.

Addressing the City Traffic Police at the occasion, Mr. Dilip Bandyopadhyay, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic said “BLS trained traffic police could be of tremendous advantage for the people of Kolkata. As one hour after the accident, which is called the golden hour is the most important, if it is properly utilized, it can save a person’s life. These basic CPR skills can definitely help them to rescue the victim’s life at times of emergency and thus playing a role of responsible citizens. I congratulate Fortis’ team for coming up with such an initiative. There is a pressing need to spread this knowledge in the community”.

Research shows that only 2 interventions can save a life, one is to provide Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to the patient and the other is to provide Defibrillation. The most common cause of death from a heart attack in adults is a disturbance in the electrical rhythm of the heart called ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation can be treated, but it requires applying an electrical shock to the chest called defibrillation. If a defibrillator is not readily available, brain death will occur in less than 10 minutes. The only way to buy time while the defibrillator becomes available is to provide CPR. According to current guidelines, CPR is initiating chest compressions before ventilations. The essence of good quality CPR is chest compression. Nowadays Hands-Only CPR is practiced. It is important to perform chest compressions at a rate of at least 100/min. Chest should be depressed at least 2 inches.

Mr. Faisal Siddiqui, GM, Fortis Hospitals said “Fortis’ emergency team as a part of our CSR activity would like to train and certify 4000 traffic police in the city twice in a week in batches of 25- 30 people on basic life support which can save many lives during medical emergencies.  We have already held similar workshop for the taxi drivers and auto drivers and we have received a tremendous response from them. We are proud to initiate such a programme for the people of Kolkata.

Dr. Arijit Bose, Consultant Emergency Care, Fortis Hospitals stressing on the role of a BLS trained person said “The earlier the CPR is given to a person in cardiopulmonary arrest, the greater the chances of the survival of the patient. Chest compressions number per minute is very  important as it helps in return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival with good neurologic function.I am sure after undergoing through the BLS programme our fellow traffic police members would definitely carry out the necessary steps being taught to them during the programme and could save a life at times of emergency.”

The BLS programme at Fortis Anandapur was a success as more than 30 traffic police participated today and benefited with the various steps of resuscitation.

About Fortis Hospitals Kolkata

Fortis Hospitals Kolkata is a 400 bedded super specialty hospital located on EM Bypass Road. It is a part of India’s leading healthcare providers – Fortis Healthcare focusing on the tertiary care like cardiology and cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurosciences, digestive care, urology & nephrology, Respiratory care & sleep medicine, emergency care and critical care. Our amenities include a 24-hour accident and emergency service including trauma treatment, ambulance services, blood bank, fully functional operation theatres, preventive health check, diagnostic and catheterization laboratory, critical and emergency care.

This may seem like something out of a movie, but virtual surgery has just made a mark in Mumbai. 61-year-old Neena Aggarwal is patient who has started walking – after a decade- thanks to this latest advancement. Neena suffered with severe osteoarthritis which resulted in bow shaped legs, and the fact that she weighs 114 kilos, made surgery a risky option.

“Every possible balm she has applied, every possible medication she has tried and it was torture. It has actually been torture for her,” said Neena’s daughter.

Doctors decided to for virtual treatment – performing what’s known as Patient Specific Instrumentation or PSI Knee Replacement surgery – for the first time ever in Mumbai.

What happens during the PSI knee replacement surgery is that the doctor prepares an exact 3D image of the knee on the computer – and that replica helps the doctor to virtually plan for the entire surgery – so that the surgeon knows, what cuts to make, what the alignment should be like – so much so, that the implant sits perfectly on the knee (fitting the model-implant).

This surgery has only been performed in the US, Canada and England, and there are clear benefits, doctors say.

Dr Kaushal Malhan, Knee and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Fortis Hospital says, “Obviously when you are taking lesser time, when you are doing less damage to the tissues , when you are cutting less, when your planning is already done and you already know what you are going to do in theatre, in terms of what angle and placement, I think you are on surer footing, in terms of that, so probably the complications may be lesser.”

Considering one in eight knee replacements in India is unsuccessful, according to the Arthritis Foundation of India, that’s the best news for Neena, even though this sort of surgery costs about Rs 40, 000 more than traditional surgery.

Neena’s daughter says that her not just her mother, but her father is also looking forward to the surgery anxiously and has already planned a post-surgery vacation.

“My dad has already planned a trip with her he’s like, once you are out of the hospital, we are planning a trip to Goa,” said Neena’s daughter.

The 5th National Congress of Indian Society of Hip & Knee Surgeons held in Bengaluru from 8th to 10th April 2011,where Dr Ronen Roy, Fortis Hospitals, Kolkata spoke on “Contemporary strategies in reducing blood loss in TKR”.
Seen in the picture seated in the dias as panelist/speakers are (from L to R) Dr Ronen Roy, Dr Dr Alfred Tria, Dr Lombardi, Dr Hemant Wakankar, Dr Vharat Modi & Dr David Gibson

About Doctor Ronen Roy

Professional qualification
After completing his MBBS from Calcutta Medical College, Dr. Roy went on to finish his FRCS from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Glasgow. In the course of his illustrious international career, Dr. Roy has  also served as a full-time lecturer in Orthopaedics and Trauma at the
University of Wales, Cardiff. Even today, he is a member of the faculty for many basic, intermediate, and advanced courses in Joint Replacement Surgery.Dr. Roy has presented many papers and is a member of many national and international associations such as the Asia Pacific Arthroplasty Society(APAS).

Expertise
Dr. Roy is an expert in all forms of Orthopaedic Surgery with a special flair for Joint Replacement Surgery, Management of Complex Trauma; and Diagnosis, treatment, and management of Osteoporosis.

About Fortis Hospitals, Anandapur, Kolkata

Providing cutting edge diagnostic facilities and treatment, Fortis Hospitals is one of the most sought after facilities for orthopaedic care in India. In fact, we have the most advanced orthopaedic department in the country. The Bone and Joint care at our Kolkata facility is handled by eminent Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeons, and Rheumatologists backed by skilled para-medics. Possessing the latest in medical technology, it helps us to perform complicated joint replacement surgeries and hip resurfacing procedures accurately. And also treat musculo-skeletal ailments like arthritis and rheumatism through conventional or minimally invasive Arthroscopic surgeries, including the management of complex trauma procedures. Ours is also one of the very few facilities in India to offer Orthopaedic Oncology. The department is equipped to carry out bi-columnar Acetabular and infected joint replacement surgeries including restoration of failed trauma services, and neglected trauma fractures. All, just to put you back on your feet faster and make you walk with your head held high.

Fortis Hospitals Ltd– India’s leading super specialty healthcare group forays into Tripura with the launch of its first Information Centre in Agartala. The hospital chain which has a network of 56 hospitals across the country and now all set to extend its super specialty services to the people of Agartala with this information centre.

Addressing the media Mr. Faisal Siddiqui, General Manager, Fortis Hospitals said, “Fortis has been present in Kolkata for a considerable period of time and has extensively catered to the people of neighboring states by offering them quality medical services with utmost care. We have been receiving a large number of patients from this part of East India who come for complex surgeries like cardiac, joint replacement etc and have gone back healthy and satisfied. We thought now it was time for us to bring Fortis care close to the people of this region and the information centre is just a beginning.”

The Information centre is a unique concept where people can get information regarding specialties and various offerings at Fortis Hospitals. Specialists across the area of heart care, orthopedics, neuro science, urology and nephrology and digestive care will be visiting the information centre regularly and will be available for consultations. This will help the people of Agartala and in and around areas to consult the specialists from tertiary care hospital in their own city and will give them access to best of medical talent, super specialty care and treatment.

Addressing the media Dr. Achinta Bhattacharya, Project Head, Teresa Diagnostic Centre said, “It is our pleasure to welcome such a super specialty hospital network to begin their services in Tripura starting with their first information centre in Agartala. There was an utmost need of advanced quality medical services in Agartala and I believe with this information centre the people will now have easy access to super specialists and consult them in their city itself. They don’t need to travel miles to consult doctors and get an expert opinion. I congratulate Fortis Hospitals in this endeavor and wish them the very best and hopefully they will come with much more larger medical facility for the people of North East in the near future.”

Fortis Hospitals has a strong presence in the country and combines expert clinical talent, high end infrastructure and technology, a robust team of paramedics & nursing and a strong pedigree in specialties like cardiac, orthopaedics and neuro sciences serving people across the nation and offering them quality care. “Having  one-stop facility for all the medical information and treatment would be real helpful and life saving for the people here.” Said Dr. Rakesh Rajput, Consultant Specialist, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospitals.

“For cardiac problems immediate treatment is what is required. In case of cardiac emergency loss of a second can be fatal. The one stop facility can be contacted for any emergency situation and assistance will be available readily”. Said Dr. Sanjeev Mukherjee, Consultant Cardiologist, Fortis Hospitals.

“There is increase in the trend of urological problems over last two decades in India. Fortis Hospitals one stop facility will give the people access to best of super specialty care and treatment.” Said Dr. R K Gopalakrishna, Consultant Urologist, Fortis Hopitals

About Fortis Hospitals –

Fortis Hospitals is India’s largest growing healthcare network with a pan India presence of 56 hospitals specializing in the area of super specialty care – Heart Care, Bone & Joint Care, Brain & Spine Care, Minimal Access Surgery, Digestive Care & Uro-Nephro Care. The major hospitals in the network have received international accreditation by Joint Commission International (JCI) and the prestigious national accreditation – NABH.

About Fortis Hospitals Kolkata –

Fortis Hospitals Kolkata is a 400 bed super specialty hospital located on EM Bypass Road. It is a part of India’s leading healthcare providers – Fortis Healthcare focusing on the tertiary care of super specialty like cardiology and cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurosciences, digestive care, urology & nephrology, emergency care and critical care. Our amenities include a 24-hour accident and emergency service including trauma treatment, ambulance services, blood bank, fully functional operation theatres, cardiac operation theatre, preventive health check, diagnostic and catheterization laboratory, critical and emergency care.