50 pct stents are implanted when not needed
I have recently joined local circles after hearing good feedback from a friend in Delhi calling this site a good site to raise problems and get govt action taken.
Friends, 50 pct of the stent implants are not needed and done to make money. Can something be done here together. Read below:
According to the Cardiology Society of India, in 2015, as many as 4,20,000 angioplasties were performed in India. Experts say in most of the cardiac patients with even 50 per cent blockage in arteries who do not require stents are implanted with stents.
A few years ago, in the US, which has better monitoring and oversight of medical procedures than India, a study had reported that only half the non-emergency cardiac stent implants were appropriate.
In India, where there is hardly or no regulation of hospitals in this regard, especially in the private sector, at least 25 per cent-30 per cent of the stent implants are inappropriate.
Hence, it indicates towards unethical stent implants being a serious concern for cardiac patients. In order to curb the unethical practice, in 2009, an expert panel of cardiologists in the US published criteria for appropriate use of stents.
This had a positive impact, and US has witnessed a remarkable decline in the number of inappropriate stent implants. Similarly, some experts are of the opinion that the Cardiology Society of India should frame similar guidelines for the appropriate use of stents in India.
According to prof BM Hegde, cardiologist and former vice-chancellor of Manipal University, the only area where angioplasty has a proven track record is during an acute heart attack, and during such times as well, the procedure has to be done within minutes. Rest of the time, it is done just to make money by instilling fear among patients and their relatives about blocks in the coronary arteries.
The measure to cap stent prices in India is commendable. However, this may also lead to increase in the overall packages by some private hospitals for stent implants in the form of hospital and surgical charges, to increase their own share of profit.
This might make the procedures unnecessarily expensive despite the stent price caps.
Moreover, as it is being reported that some hospitals are resorting to use first and second generation of stents, instead of the better third and fourth generation stents. Therefore, the state-level FDA authorities have to strictly regulate and probe the hospitals and the grievous complaints being filed by patients for overcharging and use of inferior quality of stents.
Additionally, the government needs promote and provide incentives to the Indian drug manufacturing companies to help them compete in the stent market, which is largely dominated by foreign companies.
Though having slashed the cost of stents by over 85 per cent may reduce certain percentage in the number, but still doesn't guarantee protection of patients against unnecessary stent implants in India.
The government needs to frame strict guidelines and make audits mandatory for such procedures. The doctors and hospitals involved in these unethical practices should be seriously dealt with under the law.
Unless the patients are protected from doctors and hospitals extracting unethical profits by performing unnecessary stent implants, the struggle for comprehensive healthcare for coronary artery diseases will remain incomplete. more
Friends, 50 pct of the stent implants are not needed and done to make money. Can something be done here together. Read below:
According to the Cardiology Society of India, in 2015, as many as 4,20,000 angioplasties were performed in India. Experts say in most of the cardiac patients with even 50 per cent blockage in arteries who do not require stents are implanted with stents.
A few years ago, in the US, which has better monitoring and oversight of medical procedures than India, a study had reported that only half the non-emergency cardiac stent implants were appropriate.
In India, where there is hardly or no regulation of hospitals in this regard, especially in the private sector, at least 25 per cent-30 per cent of the stent implants are inappropriate.
Hence, it indicates towards unethical stent implants being a serious concern for cardiac patients. In order to curb the unethical practice, in 2009, an expert panel of cardiologists in the US published criteria for appropriate use of stents.
This had a positive impact, and US has witnessed a remarkable decline in the number of inappropriate stent implants. Similarly, some experts are of the opinion that the Cardiology Society of India should frame similar guidelines for the appropriate use of stents in India.
According to prof BM Hegde, cardiologist and former vice-chancellor of Manipal University, the only area where angioplasty has a proven track record is during an acute heart attack, and during such times as well, the procedure has to be done within minutes. Rest of the time, it is done just to make money by instilling fear among patients and their relatives about blocks in the coronary arteries.
The measure to cap stent prices in India is commendable. However, this may also lead to increase in the overall packages by some private hospitals for stent implants in the form of hospital and surgical charges, to increase their own share of profit.
This might make the procedures unnecessarily expensive despite the stent price caps.
Moreover, as it is being reported that some hospitals are resorting to use first and second generation of stents, instead of the better third and fourth generation stents. Therefore, the state-level FDA authorities have to strictly regulate and probe the hospitals and the grievous complaints being filed by patients for overcharging and use of inferior quality of stents.
Additionally, the government needs promote and provide incentives to the Indian drug manufacturing companies to help them compete in the stent market, which is largely dominated by foreign companies.
Though having slashed the cost of stents by over 85 per cent may reduce certain percentage in the number, but still doesn't guarantee protection of patients against unnecessary stent implants in India.
The government needs to frame strict guidelines and make audits mandatory for such procedures. The doctors and hospitals involved in these unethical practices should be seriously dealt with under the law.
Unless the patients are protected from doctors and hospitals extracting unethical profits by performing unnecessary stent implants, the struggle for comprehensive healthcare for coronary artery diseases will remain incomplete. more
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It is the result of "DONATED DOCTORS" who had paid Hugh amount to become Doctor (Except the exception) and society at large is getting the Burns. Thanks to the Govt. that they had made Rules and checks. So also the media which had covered widely specifically the News paper and Times of India in particular. more
Mar 15
-Keep check on private colleges education and fee, come out with regulations and include ethics training in the curriculum. Need to check such practices more
Mar 10
Mr.Nikhil Bajaj, It is all fact you wrote but if you want this should be read by more group members it should be at least 50% short written. The govt.must open controlled medical shops for such doubtful items. more
Mar 08
Very difficult to control, unless necssary guidelines are laid down , followed & checked regularly by a team appointed for the purpose. Subsequently, strict action against defaulters. more
Mar 07
Doctors come from cream students of our society.They are brilliant, got good marks in all exams but have sold themselves to the illegal money.Most Nursing homes are owned by non medical businessman who runs nursing homes for more and smooth money.Doctors have become purchased by them.Get ready to suffer more. On Mon, Mar 6, 2017 at 9:21 AM, Nikhil Bajaj wrote: > more
Mar 06
