BM Birla Heart Research Centre: The ultimate destination of heart care in East

BM Birla Heart Research Centre has come a long way in providing quality treatment, how do you ensure that the hospital maintains its quality care?

BM Birla Heart Research Centre has always emphasised on patient safety and quality of care. This constant emphatic emphasis on quality care has rewarded us, we are the first hospital in India to receive the National Accreditation Board for Hospital and Healthcare (NABH) accreditation and reaccreditation. In the pathology department, we were the first hospital in India to also receive NABL accreditation and CAP (College of American Pathology). So you can well realise that we ensure quality care as per national and international external agencies.

Can you throw some light on the type of facilities available at BM Birla Heart?

BM Birla Heart Research Centre is a one stop solution for all heart related problema. Our centre has been incorporated with latest generation of cardiac equipment like Philips Allura F D 10 which is the latest cardiac care system comprising special features such as stent boost. It also has 3D reconstruction mapping DSA refraction facility which is the first in the eastern region and can be compared to international standards. We also have a rotablator system for TO calcified lesion. In our echocardiography department we have a three-dimensional echocardiography which can be done on adults, paediatric patients as well as on foetuses. Our centre also has a department of nuclear medicine which has a unique dual head “INFINIA” gamma camera which would provide economic and accurate non-invasive diagnosis of artery disease.

BM Birla Heart Research Centre has set up a lifestyle clinic and rehabilitation clinic, the first of its kind in eastern India. Enhanced external counter pulsation therapy (EECP) is also available here. Our pathological department is known for its advanced evaluation and accuracy of reports since we have the best pathological set up.

Could you please elaborate on the cardiac care packages. How economical are they, because there is a notion that caridac care and surgery are expensive?

BM Birla Heart Research Centre ensures quality of treatment and value for money. It is a “not for profit “hospital so the charges are reasonable. As the hospital is run by a trust which does not aim at profit we aim to provide quality cardiac care to all patients across all sections of the society. Our centre has subsidised cath package for Rs 9,900 and surgery package of Rs1,15,000. We have started a programme known as “Healing Little Hearts …” where every year we do around 100 heavily subsdised surgeries, in collaboration with Rotary and other organisations, on girl children having cardiac problems. Other than these, we offer subsidised packages in executive health check up schemes and free heart check up and health camps. We are totally transparent in our billing procedure and we have displayed our charges on the internet and in our reception counters. There may be some hospitals where the quality of heart treatment is not maintained, hence there is inferior treatment at cheap price. But we feel that every patient has one life and one heart, so we should make all efforts to give them the best that they deserve. I can say that all patients coming to BM Birla Heart Research Centre will be provided with quality and transparent treatment.

What kind of state-of-the-art infrastructure does BM Birla Heart boast of?

BM Birla Heart Research Centre is a super speciality hospital dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, treatment and research related to cardio thoracic and vascular diseases. It was started more than two decades back to provide world class heart care to the people in India and neighbouring countries. We have increased the capacity of our coronary care unit for there was a demand for more beds. We had to add 25 more beds and have opened an intensive coronary care unit. Our cath lab department, which is technically one of the best in eastern India, has ultra-modern cardiac catheterisation of laboratories. There are several modern OTs where efficient cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists and perfusionists are present round the clock. Some of the cases which are performed here are patients with extra risk factors (as per risk score) or CABG + ASD/VSD, double Valve +CABG, redosurgery, double valve replacement, single valve +CABG, CABG + carotid edarterectomy, aortaneurysm or aortic dissection.

What are the different awards and accolades won by BM Birla Heart Research Centre?

I believe that nothing succeeds like success, being a not-for-profit hospital, our drive is to excel in all aspects in healthcare. This year we have been awarded by CII – Quality Award 2011 – 2012 in S.S.I category. We have secured the 1st position in Total Quality Management amongst the various participating organisations from various industries. BM Birla Heart Research Centre was the first hospital to receive NABH accreditation and re accreditation. It is also the first hospital to receive Rajiv Gandhi National Quality award 2007 for its commitment to quality in health sector and ‘Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Fair ‘Business Practices’. The award is conferred on the most deserving enterprises with an outstanding record of promoting fair business practices. We also have received ‘Express Healthcare Excellence Awards’ for “Inspirational Workplace” category. It is also the first hospital to be awarded ISO 9001, ISO14001and OSHAS 18001 for highest standards in healthcare, environmental protection and occupational safety respectively. We are indeed proud to say that we have been ranked No.1 in India for “Value for Money “ in an independent survey of India’s best hospitals. My message – We are and remain committed to be the No 1 for your heart.

What are your future plans?

We are committed to maintain the highest benchmarks which we have set for ourselves in the field of cardiac care. We would definitely like to sustain the quality standard. Our flag of achievement and success in patient care surely will fly high. To sum up, I would see the centre offering highest standards of cardio thoracic treatment and care to all sections of society at best value for money, to be the leading cardio thoracic care institution in India with world class standards of quality and service.