Apollo Hospitals launches “The Pink Book” to enhance safety framework in healthcare

Apollo Hospitals has launched “The Pink Book,” a framework designed to enhance safety protocols across healthcare systems. The initiative is part of Apollo’s ongoing commitment to patient care and safety, which has been central to its mission for over 41 years.

The Pink Book serves as a guide for ensuring safety in hospital environments. It outlines protocols aimed at protecting staff, patients, and visitors, emphasising the importance of safety culture in healthcare.

Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, addressed the need for a robust safety framework at the book’s launch. She stated, “At Apollo Hospitals, our commitment to patient safety has been unwavering for over four decades. With ‘The Pink Book,’ we aim to not only strengthen safety protocols within Apollo but also provide a roadmap for the entire healthcare ecosystem. This is more than a safety guideline; this is our commitment to equity and enhancing the healthcare workspace. We believe this initiative will further reinforce the trust our patients place in us, as we continue to set new standards for care and safety.”

The book highlights the importance of comprehensive safety measures in healthcare, particularly for women. It outlines strict government regulations and the need for hospitals to adhere to safety policies, including zero-tolerance against harassment. The book also focuses on fostering a positive safety culture through leadership commitment, training, and open communication.

Key recommendations include identifying and managing risky patients, enhancing security with panic buttons and surveillance, ensuring well-lit ergonomic workspaces, and providing support for night-duty staff. The book also advocates for self-defence training, mental health support, compliance with legal provisions, and creating platforms for reporting safety concerns in line with the POSH Act.

The framework aims to serve as a guiding tool for healthcare providers, equipping them with protocols and best practices to ensure the highest levels of safety and well-being for patients and healthcare workers.