New guidelines mandate relatives' permission for ICU admissions

They further set newer qualifications for intensivists

Organ failure and support a criterion for admissions

The central government has issued guidelines for admission into Intensive Care Units (ICUs). As per the guidelines, hospitals cannot admit critically ill patients into ICUs sans the consent of the relatives. 

Apart from these guidelines, the government has also specified that the critical care expert in ICUs should have specific qualifications. 

Apart from them, there are certain specifications that the intensivist must have. They should possess a qualification in internal medicine, anasthesia, pulmonary medicine, emergency medicine or general surgery. 

The guidelines further note: 

“An additional qualification in Intensive Care such as DM Critical Care/Pulmonary Critical Care, DNB/FNB Critical Care (National Board of Examinations), Certificate Courses in Critical Care of the ISCCM (IDCCM and IFCCM), Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Critical Care (PDCC/Fellowship) from an NMC recognised University, or equivalent qualifications from abroad such as the American Board Certification, Australian or New Zealand Fellowship (FANZCA or FFICANZCA), UK (CCT dual recognition), or equivalent from Canada.”

” At least one-year training in a reputed ICU abroad. A few candidates of the ISCCM Certificate Course (CTCCM) who have been certified with a 3-year training programme in Intensive Care after M.B.B.S. are also recognised as Intensivists. In addition, persons so qualified or trained must have at least two-years’ experience in ICU (at least 50% time spent in the ICU).” it said

The guidelines also note that the criterion for admission should be organ failure and the need for organ support.