Apollo News (1108)
Technology
Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata organizes an interactive session on Robotics with World renowned urologist...
While still considered an innovative and highly skilled technique, robotic prostate removal surgery seems to have paved its place as a widespread prostate cancer treatment. Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals in their effort to increase awareness about the advantages of Robotic Surgery as a better treatment for various cancers, organised an interactive session with world renowned urologist Prof ProkarDasgupta who shared his expertise and insights on the advancement of robotics globally.
A noted authority in academic urology for the past seven years within the Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammatory Diseases (DIIID), Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London School of Medicine, Prof. ProkarDasgupta has pioneered modern robotic urological surgery in UK, following in the footsteps of John Wickham. His team is recognised internationally for the Guy’s robotic cystoprostatectomy technique for bladder cancer and is the leading European group amongst the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium (IRCC). He conducted the first randomised controlled trial of robotic urology in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Hospital. A further innovation is the description of a minimally invasive method of delivering Botulinum toxin to refractory overactive bladders (Dasgupta technique). He is the Urological Foundation Mentor in Robotic Surgery.
“Robotic surgery has a lot to offer to prostate cancer patients,” said Prof Dasgupta. “It is more precise, minimally invasive, heals faster and has the best clinical outcomes for treatment of these Cancers. In the hands of highly experienced surgeons, patients are seeing very positive results. I have seen over the past couple of years that the ability to treat and counsel patients have significantly improved with robotic surgery because of its accuracy and results it yields post-surgery. With a robotic prostatectomy, the benefits include a high prostate cancer cure rate and reduced urinary continence and impotence.”
New Initiatives
Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata launches the ‘Department of Sports Medicine’ to promote H...
Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata launches the “Department of Sports Medicine”
Built with a vision to improve athletes’ health and safety, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals launched their Sports medicine unit, focused on implementing the best practices. Powered by the strengths of both knowledge and technology, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, is vastly improving efforts to protect the health and safety of not only the professional athletes but also of the general population.
The primary role of the sports medicine physician in competitive sport is the prevention and treatment of injuries. Sportsmen are constantly exposed to injuries which can be career threatening. The team physician of Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, who is constantly moving with the team, is the first person who detects and treats the injuries. The injured player is quickly assessed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon who is specialized in sports medicine and the relevant tests like ultrasound scan and MRI scan are done without any delay. Majority of the injuries are managed with physiotherapy and medicine. A fraction of them require surgery.
Now that many people play sport in clubs, housing complexes, neighborhood fields and in office premises, they are getting exposed to situations where they can sustain the same injury as professional athletes. No one wants to be out of work and in bed due to an injury. The present sports medicine specialists also cater to the general population and can offer the same expertise to them as they do for the professional athletes.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rupali Basu, President & CEO- Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group, India, said, “We have a comprehensive sports medicine team comprising of team physicians, physiotherapists, surgeons, radiologists and nutritionists. Our sports medicine center has specialists who treat knee, ankle, hip, shoulder, hand and wrist injuries using the state of the art minimally invasive techniques (Arthroscopy). We have also introduced Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, which can be injected into injured ligaments, muscles and tendons, which can help in faster recovery.”
Awards & Accolades
The Week-Nielsen Best Hospitals survey 2015 ranks Apollo Hospitals, Chennai as the Best Multi-Specialty Privat...
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai was ranked the best multi-specialty private hospital in the country in 2014 and the hospital has continued to deliver best clinical outcomes and patient experience in the past year, holding its position in the 2015 survey as well. Apollo Hospitals was also ranked as the No. 1 multi-specialty hospital in Chennai & Kolkata by the survey, displaying our commitment in our endeavor to provide the best healthcare experience for our Patients
The Week-Nielsen Best Hospitals Survey 2015, was conducted among Doctors from 19 cities between September and November 2015. This survey which is conducted year on year ranks multi-specialty hospitals on an all-India level, city level, specialty wise, medical education and research facilities & outputs.
New Initiatives
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi pledges to beat Diabetes
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi conducted a walkathon to present a united stand against diabetes inside the hospital premises on November 14, 2015. The walk was followed by a complimentary diabetes screening test. Special Sugar screening offers were provided to individuals along with consultation services at low costs where people got their blood sugars tested. A team of doctors also provided information on how to spot early signs of diabetes. Sharing his experience, Vivek Malhotra, a participant said, “Being a diabetes patient, I realize the importance of early detection and management. Regular exercise keeps me going and my diabetes under control. This walk was a great event to raise awareness about diabetes.” The walkathon was a huge success as many patients and families participated. The participants praised the initiative as it was extremely informative.
Clinical Excellence
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai successfully performs Asia’s first en-bloc combined heart & liver transpl...
Reiterating its position as the leading transplant centre in the world by performing the most complex en-bloc combined heart and liver transplant, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai gave a new lease of life to a 30 year old from Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu. This complex procedure which is considered to be technically demanding has never been attempted anywhere in Asia.
The patient, Mr. Ponnar is a gold medalist who completed his Masters in Engineering. Unfortunately, his hopes and dream took a turn when he was diagnosed with liver failure and was advised a liver transplant. However, he was then diagnosed with a congenital condition called Ebsteins Anomaly – a failure of the development of the right side of the heart which was the cause of the liver failure, leaving him with no other option but a combined heart and liver transplant.
It was at this juncture that Mr. Ponnar’s family approached the Apollo Hospitals Team, Chennai with a resolution to fight this till the end. Only a highly successful heart & liver transplant team, both working together as ONE team could home to accomplish an en-bloc combined heart and liver transplant. “The transplant teams had to take into consideration the risk of excessive bleeding in case of simultaneous transplant and the risk of accumulated toxins if the two organs were transplanted separately” recalls Dr. Paul Ramesh, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai.
“I am extremely proud of Mr. Ponnar and his family who ignored all naysayers and whose trust in the clinical team at Apollo gave us the inspiration to carry out this procedure and mark a milestone in our medical history” added Dr. Ramesh. This feat would have been impossible without the undivided support and fantastic work of the Tamil Nadu Government and the Organ donation program in the state.
“This outstanding achievement is a testament to the world-class abilities of our surgeons, physicians, technicians, nurses and other staff who are committed to serving our patients and providing them with healthcare of international standards” said Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman & Founder, Apollo Hospitals.
Today, Mr. Ponnar is a happy man leading a normal life and all set to conquer his hopes and dreams.
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai – Heart Transplant & Liver Transplant Team
Mr. Ponnar
New Initiatives
Apollo Hospital Chennai inaugurated a 24/7 free emergency medical centre at the Chennai Central railway stati...
A Joint initiative by Southern Railways and Apollo Hospitals, the Emergency Medical Care Centre, supported by an ACL (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) ambulance and a first of its kind battery charged ambulance buggy to ferry patients, will be equipped to stabilize emergency cases arising at the station
The 24/7 free emergency medical centre at Chennai central station will cater to the needs of passengers in need of immediate medical aid. This Centre is equipped with facilities and expertise that can help stabilise patients before being referred to the nearest hospital, if needed, for advanced care as deemed fit by the doctor the Centre.
Located adjacent to the main entrance of the station, next to the manager’s cabin, the 500 sq. feet full-fledged facility will be manned 24/7 by an emergency physician and 2 paramedic nurses working in three different shifts to ensure round the clock service. For the first time in the State, a fully battery operated ambulance buggy has been introduced to help ferry patients who might be in need of immediate medical attention from the various platforms to the Centre, and subsequently to the ACL Ambulance parked outside, in case the patient needs to be shifted to a hospital. The ACL ambulance, manned by one male nurse and an ambulance driver trained in first aid administration will be on Standby within the station limits.
With Chennai Central being one of the arterial connectivity centre for Southern Railways and one of the busiest railway stations witnessing an average of 5 to 6 lakh footfalls in a day, this emergency medical centre will help passengers in need of critical medical aid at the most crucial time.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman and Founder of Apollo Hospital said, “Every human life is priceless and as members of the medical fraternity we understand the importance of emergency care which needs to be administered as soon as possible. With this centre in place, we hope that we will be able to better serve the needs of passengers and help them benefit from the well-established healthcare facilities available in Chennai.
New Initiatives
Stroke Support Group created by Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi on World Stroke Day
This support group saw participation from over 300 patients, friends and families with the aim of providing a forum for stroke survivors and caregivers to make friends, socialize and to exchange common challenges by sharing experiences and encouraging one another.
The forum also hosted experts and doctors who spoke on identifying stroke signs at the earliest and timely intervention which could help save a lot of lives. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. P N Renjen, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi said, �The recovery of a patient from stroke is completely dependent on timely medical intervention. Unlike a heart attack, a stroke victim loses brain function and therefore is dependent on others to take him to an emergency centre. If provided specialised medical attention immediately or within the first half an hour the chances of recovery improve dramatically.�
The doctors and patients discussed the importance of timely action after recognising the symptoms of stroke. The symptoms of stroke include facial and arm weakness, slurred speech, loss of vision etc. which if left untreated � may lead to disability in many cases. Dr. Renjen added, �When stroke strikes, every minute is precious and treatment within 4.5 hours can reduce disability.�
The patients and families shared their stories and experiences that provided an informed atmosphere to share common concerns regarding stroke.
New Initiatives
WWF-India and Apollo Hospitals join hands for the welfare of our forest staff
Forest guards play an indispensable role in protecting our forest habitats and species that WWF-India strives to conserve. Their job involves patrolling vast swathes of often-inhospitable terrain with bare minimum protection and hardly any access to emergency medical facilities in case of any severe mishaps or illnesses suffered while on-job.
In an effort to address such concerns and provide immediate medical relief and support, WWF-India and Apollo Hospitals have announced a one-year partnership for these forest guards. The partnership will entail providing treatment and recovery support for frontline staff in case of a medical emergency, while on field. This support will be provided in 10 priority landscapes where WWF-India is actively working along with the state forest departments of Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
A partnership announcement by the two organizations covers superior quality medical treatment of patients on a first-come-first-serve basis. The services made available to the forest staff would also include air ambulance and other emergency medical rescue services. For other cases, WWF-India and the state forest departments involved will admit the sick/injured staff to the nearest Apollo Hospital or its franchisee at their own expense.
This unique partnership will cover medical cases including (but not restricted to) grievous injury due to attacks by wild animals; fall from elevated areas (like hills or machans); accidents while patrolling in vehicles (collision, falling off etc); burns during fire-fighting operations; bullet/sharp weapon injuries inflicted by poachers; injuries inflicted by people during mob control when handling cases of human-wildlife conflict ; life threatening diseases like malaria, dengue etc; venomous bites/stings , and electrocution.
The partnership represents a significant milestone in ensuring the welfare of the frontline staff. Appreciating the initiative, Mr. Samir Sinha, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forest and Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve, said, �Programs such as this are essential to the morale of the frontline staff, and for their continued welfare. We welcome this novelinitiative by WWF-India and Apollo Hospitals.”
WWF-India aims to explore several such opportunities wherein processes and policies can be put in place to benefit forest staff across the country. “Our frontline personnel are an important part of the conservation family, and are willing to put their lives on line to protect our wildlife. Their efforts and sacrifice must not go unnoticed. We welcome this partnership with Apollo Hospitals which will boost their morale and empower them”, said Mr. Ravi Singh, WWF-India Secretary General and CEO. Ms Upasana Kamineni, Vice Chairperson , CSR at Apollo Hospitals Group said: �We at Apollo Hospitals group understand the perils that these frontline staff go through and we are always there to support them and are happy to help conserve our wildlife”.
Events
The King of football, Pele inaugurated the Leukemia Ward of Apollo Gleneagles Cancer Hospital, Kolkata on Oct...
The King of football, Pele spent time with the Apollo Gleneagles Cancer Hospital team (AGHL) on 12th &13th October, 2015 and responded to the queries on Sports injury and the facilities of Sports Medicine in Kolkata. He recounted the painful moments of his injuries during his time and congratulated Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata on creating world class Sports Medicine facilities.
Pele autographed on footballs for distribution amongst the children getting treatments suffering from Leukemia at Apollo Gleneagles Cancer Hospital, Kolkata.
He inaugurated the Leukemia Ward Apollo Gleneagles Cancer Hospital on October 13th 2015 and inspired the team to continue the great work in preventing and curing Leukemia in Eastern India.
New Initiatives
Apollo Hospitals launches Ask Apollo – a first of its kind medical platform in the country for remote pa...
Marking a special milestone in the Apollo Hospitals journey, Shri U T Khader, Honorable Health Minister of Karnataka inaugurated Ask Apollo in the presence of many eminent personalities including Ms Sangita Reddy- Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, Dr Naresh Parmar- CEO-Karnataka Region, Apollo Hospitals, Mr Ron Gutman, Founder and CEO- HealthTap, Mr Guy Ellena- Consultant, Former Director Health and Education, IFC and Dr K. Ganapathy, President, Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation.
This initiative by Apollo Hospitals is an interactive patient-centric service that gives its patients the option to consult a doctor anywhere and anytime at their convenience. Through Ask Apollo, one can also book an appointment, avail instant consultation by a family doctor, diet and nutrition related advice, consultation with a specialist/board of specialists based on the criticality of the ailment.
Commenting on the launch, Ms Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Through Ask Apollo, we continue Apollo Group’s legacy of setting industry benchmarks & contributing to elevate the standard of healthcare to the next level. Apollo Hospitals aims at revolutionizing personal technology with the introduction of Ask Apollo where a patient can even select the doctor of their choice and schedule a time when they require consultation. Ask Apollo is a 100% virtual service and hence eliminates all hassles of travelling to the clinic or hospital and waiting in long queues.�
Shri U T Khader, Honorable Health Minister of Karnataka said, “We need to take proactive steps in improving the quality healthcare in India. This initiative by Apollo Hospitals is a step to improve accessibility to healthcare and the services of world-class, credible doctors.�
To learn more about �Ask Apollo�, users can log into www.askapollo.com and avail the ‘Ask Apollo’ services
Clinical Excellence
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad successfully treats a critically ill eleven day old baby with a complex and rare ...
Baby of Shaheen (name changed for privacy) had a very abnormal right side heart valve (Tricuspid valve) called Ebstein’s Anomaly, where the valve is abnormal and leaks profusely. He also had atresia of pulmonary valve, which meant that no blood flow was going to his lung from the heart for oxygenation. This life threatening abnormality was detected by the doctors at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad when the baby was still in the womb through a fetal echocardiography.
A medical team at Apollo Hospital, Jubilee Hills Hyderabad, comprising of Paediatric Cardiologist, Obstetrician, Neonatologist and Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon took utmost care to meet any contingency during the birth of the baby considering his precarious medical condition. The baby being born prematurely at 34 weeks of gestation coupled with growth retardation presented a challenge to the team. Initially the team put him on ventilator support soon after birth and hoped to manage him medically for a few months before surgery could be planned.
However, a natural connection between his aorta and the artery to the lungs called ductus arteriosus was closing. Hence this connection had to be kept open using a special medicine for taking blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The closure of the artery would have snuffed life out of the baby and therefore it was imperative that Cardiac surgery to restore blood flow to lungs was performed on a war footing. The surgery was especially challenging because of his deteriorating condition, tiny size, small size of the heart (no bigger than an adult thumb) and organs. The task was daunting and the team had to perform the surgery with great dexterity, says Dr Girish Warrier, Senior Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, who led the team in performing the surgery.
After a detailed consultation with the family, the team decided to go ahead with surgery on September 14th, albeit at a high risk, since without surgery, the child would not have survived tiny size. The child had to be placed on Cardiopulmonary bypass as preparatory to working inside the heart. Being only 1.2 Kg at birth and 11 days at the time of surgery, specially designed circuitry had to be used to place the child on bypass. He required an urgent tube graft that would send blood from his aorta to lungs. However, leaving his tricuspid valve leaking so badly would have jeopardized the function of his heart and ultimately the recovery. The leaking tricuspid valve was closed using a patch. Thereafter a shunt was created to provide reliable source of blood supply to the lungs for purification. The child tolerated the procedure well and was taken off the bypass machine and then shifted to the intensive care unit. He gradually recovered from the surgery and was shifted to the ward on the 14th post-operative day.
The infant needed a multidisciplinary team approach right from being inside the womb to his recovery that involved Paediatric Cardiologist Dr Kavitha Chintala, Obstetrician Dr. Prameela Sekhar, Cardiac Anaesthetist and Critical Care Specialist Dr Meena Trehan, Paediatrician Dr Sharmila Kaza, residents, fellows, nurses and ancillary staff.
Dr Girish Warrier commented,” Cardiac surgery in such tiny children requires an advanced infrastructure and a highly trained staff who form the backbone of any successful team. Additional challenges to his surgery were nutrition and infection control, but he is now recovering well and is planned for discharge in a couple of days from the hospital. This type of surgery is a high-risk surgery which has not been performed till date in India and Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad is proud to be a pioneer in this field”.
New Initiatives
Dr. Prathap C Reddy launches Apollo Homecare operations in Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi
Apollo Hospitals group is venturing into homecare leveraging its domain strength to make high quality integrated healthcare accessible to the community at large and more specifically to the elderly, chronically ill patients, post-surgery recovery patients etc., who will now receive personalized attention from well- trained and qualified healthcare providers right within the comfortable environs of their homes. By the end of next year, Apollo Homecare will rapidly spread its operations to 13 more cities. Apollo Homecare services can be reached by dialling its national homecare hub number 1860-500-8585.
Marking this milestone, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman Apollo Group, unveiled the logo and launched the website at Hyderabad. Launching the “Apollo Homecare” initiative- Dr. Reddy expressed that Home based quality Healthcare will play a very significant role in the healthcare Industry in India in this decade. Dr. Reddy mentioned that continuity of care is fundamental for better outcomes in healthcare-Apollo Homecare will sustain this continuum beyond the hospitals into the community. This actually could be transformational as it is a win-win situation for all stakeholders – it is convenient and comfortable for patients and their families; it would reduce the “Average length of stay “(ALOS) of the patients. Raising concern about the growing geriatric population in India, Dr. Reddy emphasized that the Elderly parents, both the domestic and NRI dependents are the ones who need to be taken care of with utmost sensitivity and regular monitoring to avoid falls at home and also for better management of pre-existing conditions . Dr. Reddy also mentioned that remote monitoring through technology will play a significant role in home based healthcare services.
Highlighting the partnership programs which are delivered through a multidisciplinary team guided by a specialist physician, Dr. Mahesh Joshi, CEO –Apollo Homecare mentioned that these care plan-based programs are aimed at chronic illness management in partnership with the family members to prevent adverse outcomes, unwanted hospital visits or admissions.
Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint MD of Apollo Hospitals stated that Apollo always strives to address the unmet needs in the healthcare domain in India and homecare was but the natural progression in the Apollo’s journey. Explaining the manifold significance of homecare, she said, “Apollo Homecare is an option for people who need to seek viable alternatives to hospital-based care particularly for long term care or disease management with an assurance of the Quality care being delivered.
Talking about Apollo advantage she said, “While there are lot of players in the market and lot more players who are about to launch, the major differentiation that Apollo Homecare has to offer would be Clinical Excellence In Care. Starting from shadowing the patient post surgery at the hospital, smooth transfer of the patient to home and making the environment conducive at home, Apollo Homecare has the capability to handle the most critical cases at home. Illustrating this point, she spoke about Mr. Babu Rao, who had less than 5% chances of survival. However, Apollo Homecare has successfully turned around the COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) case and today Mr. Babu Rao leads a normal and healthy life although he remains with an Oxygen concentrator at home.
Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director, Apollo Homecare, unveiled the Apollo Homecare Kit bag and flagged off the Apollo Homecare Van. Mr. Harshad said, “With its distributed model of call taking, Apollo Homecare has localized the approach to homecare and the local teams are enabled for the Clinical excellence and would be working very closely with the base hospitals.”
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