PMC launches special drive to inspect private hospitals, nursing homes
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a special drive to inspect private hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities within the city limits. This inspection, part of a larger effort to ensure healthcare quality and safety, is being conducted as per the guidelines outlined in the Maharashtra Healthcare Registration Rules, 2021, and the Bombay Nursing Home Act, 1949.
Under the provisions of the Bombay Nursing Home Act, 1949, it is mandatory for all private hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities in the Pune Municipal Corporation jurisdiction to be registered. These healthcare facilities are subject to periodic inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards, medical protocols, and patient rights. As per the Maharashtra Shushrusha-Grihe Registration Rules, 2021, nursing homes are inspected twice a year, with an inspection conducted once every six months.
The PMC health department has developed a detailed inspection plan, and regional medical officers have been appointed to conduct these inspections at the regional level. These officers will evaluate whether the facilities meet the necessary standards and regulations. If any violations or discrepancies are found, the officers are directed to issue either oral or written notices to the concerned facilities.
The drive
In addition to regular inspections, a special drive has been launched in line with the instructions from the Deputy Director of Health Services, Pune Division, to carry out thorough inspections of all registered hospitals within the PMC limits. This initiative aims to ensure that all healthcare facilities are in full compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. As part of this special drive, regional medical officers have been given clear instructions to inspect the nursing homes and report on the findings.
The special inspection drive will be carried out over the next month, and all registered nursing homes within the city will be inspected. The focus will be on ensuring that facilities meet specific criteria outlined by the health department. For instance, inspectors will verify whether fire safety certificates, issued by the fire department, are up to date. Additionally, the handling and disposal of biomedical waste will be carefully examined to ensure compliance with environmental and safety protocols.
Patients’ rights
Other key points of inspection include ensuring that hospitals and nursing homes are displaying patient rights documents, clear pricing information, and the grievance redressal system details, including the toll-free helpline number provided by PMC for complaints. These steps are vital for protecting patients’ interests and ensuring transparency in healthcare services.
Apart from these checks, the inspection will also focus on ensuring that the healthcare facilities are following proper registration guidelines and that they are equipped to provide safe and quality medical care. The inspections aim to ensure that facilities are maintaining hygiene, providing necessary medical equipment, and following infection control procedures.
Civic body urges cooperation
PMC Health Officer Dr Nina Borade and Assistant Health Officer and Dr Suryakant Devkar have urged the management and directors of all nursing homes and medical facilities in the city to cooperate with the health department officials during this special inspection drive. They emphasized that these inspections are crucial to maintain the quality of healthcare services in Pune and ensure the safety of patients.
Dr Borade highlighted that the inspections would help identify any lapses in healthcare facilities’ operations and ensure that patient safety and health standards are upheld. She also assured that PMC’s health department would work closely with the facilities to address any issues that may arise during the inspection. Pune Mirror
