The Selangor Health Department has clarified that the long waiting times at Serdang Hospital’s cardiology clinic were caused by a backlog of patients who missed their scheduled appointments due to the Thaipusam public holiday. This issue led to an overflow of patients for follow up appointments, making the usual patient load and resulting in congestions at the facility. The department also highlighted an additional factor on this such as walk-in patients and those arriving too early without adhering to their designated appointment times.
A report by Kosmo on 18th February highlighted the extent of the issue with the clinic managing close to 400 patients in a day. Despite concerns over the staff, the department dismissed claims of a shortage of medical officers. It confirmed that the hospital’s cardiology clinic is well equipped, with 26 cardiology including 15 consultants and three trainers, as well as 50 medical officers operating in 20 consultation rooms.
Current Capacity and Daily Operations
Serdang Hospital’s Cardiothoracic and Cardiology Centre remains active in managing heart related cases. It is said that daily, the centre performs an average of 50-70 coronary angiograms, providing treatment for emergency and trauma patients and continuing to oversee inpatient care.
To prevent the congestions, Serdang Hospital has introduced several immediate measures:
- Strengthening the Appointment System: This hospital with improved scheduling protocols to prevent overcrowd
- Expanding Teleconsultation Services: Stable patients will have access to virtual consultations, reducing the need for physical visits.
- Implementing Step-Down Care: Eligible patients will be shifted to a health clinic for follow up appointments and blood tests.
- Decentralizing Treatment: Heart treatment services will be extended to six other specialized centres across the country to distribute patient load more effectively
The department also urged patients and their family to follow the appointment times to help streamline hospital operations and minimize wait times. With these protocols Serdang Hospital aims to enhance patient experience and ensure timely, efficient medical care for everyone.
Sources: FMT
