The Madras Medical Mission today inaugurated its new Emergency Department that has been upgraded to meet world class standards.
Dr. Raju George, CEO – MMM, in his welcome address, said that the new Emergency Department was yet another milestone achievement of MMM in its continued drive to exceed global standards in healthcare excellence. 
In his address, Dr. Benjamin Ninan, HOD – Anaesthesia & Chief of Medical Staff said that a new Emergency Room with the capacity to treat varied conditions was a necessity given that MMM has expanded into other specialties such as gastroenterology, nephrology, infertility and reproductive medicine, among others. He further added that a highly functional ER with specially trained staff and advanced point of care equipment is necessary to enable rapid diagnosis and to institute life-saving treatment without delay.
Mr. M.M. Philip, Honorary Secretary MMM, highlighted that the hospital has always been upgrading their facilities based on the requirements, be it the two floors of the hospital that were transformed into Covid-19 ICUs during the pandemic to the opening of five new operating theatres earlier this month.
“In order to ensure that we provide the best possible interventional treatment within the first hour, we have equipped the emergency department with the latest in technology and staffed it with highly trained doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff. We have also decided that, from tomorrow, the first dose of medication given to every patient in the ER will be given free of cost.”
“We have put in place processes that will ensure that rapid, seamless expert care is provided within minutes of the patient being brought in. With the opening of the Emergency department, MMM has transformed its emergency care and moves us further towards our vision of becoming among the best hospitals in India,” added Mr. Philip.
The Emergency Department is now equipped with separate resuscitation bays and possesses the latest in technology and equipment to handle any emergency. There are 16 specialized bays with electrically adjustable beds, medical gases and other required apparatus to handle emergencies. The placement of the Emergency Department near the Catheterization Lab and Operation theatres makes it simple to allow rapid transfer of the patient into those areas.
Dr. Dilip Mathai, Distinguished Professor, Apollo University and Founding Dean, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, in his address, said,” The ER will be the face of the hospital and it will be a challenge to meet the urgent expectations of the patients which MMM will have to work to meet. ER skills are highly sought after. Emergency Medicine is the youngest discipline in the National Medical Commission, and now more Medical Colleges are being encouraged to start these programmes.”
In his address, the Chief Guest, Padma Bhushan Dr. B .K. Rao, former Chairman, NABH and former Chairman of Sir Ganga Ram hospital, New Delhi, said,” The kind of expectations that patient have from the Emergency medicine physician will make the ER almost like a hospital minus the operating theatres. Outcomes are not only about how the patient is treated but also includes what the patient feels about the hospital when he goes home after treatment. I hope that MMM continues to serve humanity in the way it has been doing for so long.”
The system of ducted returns and the HEPA filters with dedicated separate Air Handling units makes the Emergency Department apt for handling any respiratory infectious ailments. This is most relevant at this point given the number of patients who contract Covid-19 and come to the hospital for treatment.
A separate Counselling area has been set up to advise and assist those responsible for the patient. A waiting area along with refreshment facilities is also provided.
Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Senior Consultant – Anaesthesia & Medical Superintendent proposed the vote of thanks.
