Mysuru: The ubiquitous messenger WhatsApp has become an effective communication tool among cardiologists at Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Mysore.
During a cardiac emergency such as a Heart Attack, multiple procedures and tests have to run concurrently under the instructions of a cardiologist and his presence becomes absolutely vital once the patient is brought to the hospital. However, in case a cardiologist is away or if the emergency occurs at a late hour, doctors have to manage with virtual supervision as the first 90 minutes is very crucial after a patient with acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) is brought to the hospital.
A communication tool such as WhatsApp to exchange text, images and videos instantly are a boon in such cases where doctors in the emergency room share live updates and reports with the Cardiologists and take instructions in real-time.
According to Dr. Keshava Murthy, Senior Cardiologist, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital Mysore, “The usage of WhatsApp has eliminated a couple of steps which would otherwise require the on-ground presence of the cardiologist. During any cardiac emergency, it is our endeavor to reduce repetition and economize time.
Therefore, popular messaging app such as WhatsApp helps us give instructions to the team attending to the patient in the Emergency room. This helps save a significant amount of time. He also added saying, “We have created a WhatsApp group comprising of emergency doctors, nurses and medical attendants to ensure the entire team is alerted the moment a cardiac emergency patient is brought in.”
As soon as a patient is wheeled into the cardiac emergency, several processes and tests take place simultaneously. Technicians in the catheterization lab where interventional procedures are performed are informed to prepare for a Primary Angioplasty, which is done in case of a cardiac emergency. Emergency staff in this case shares ECG and ECHO results with the Cardiologist on WhatsApp and seeks immediate instructions which helps in the preparation process. ECG and ECHO reports are shared on WhatsApp with the Cardiologist and instructions are taken to prepare the patient for a Primary Angioplasty thereby saving a lot of valuable time.
According to Dattatreya K.S – Facility Director, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital Mysore, “In Mysore, apart from the ingenious usage of WhatsApp by Cardiologists, we are focussed on providing timely, effective and quality treatment to people coming to our hospital.”
In major heart attacks, patients have a 100% blockage in the artery, which cuts off the nutrients and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. In such cases, the primary goal for the doctor is to restore blood supply in the affected area. The preferred modality is a primary angioplasty that involves opening of the blocked vessel, performed by experienced and highly skilled Cardiologists. The earlier the blood supply is re-established, the lesser damage is caused to the heart.
