The Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), located in Lahore, Pakistan, is a 547-bed tertiary care hospital. Wither over 1500 staff members, the institute provides cardiac care service nationwide, treating more than 300,000 patients annually.[1]
| Punjab Institute of Cardiology | |
|---|---|
| Government of Punjab | |
 Tower of the hospital | |
  | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 31°32′19″N 74°20′09″E / 31.538685°N 74.335889°E |
| Organisation | |
| Funding | Public |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | Yes |
| Helipad | No |
| History | |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Links | |
| Website | http://www.pic.punjab.gov.pk// |
| Lists | Hospitals in Pakistan |
Services
editIn addition to its cardiac consultation services, the Punjab Institute of Cardiology offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including an Outpatient Department (OPD) and an array of advanced diagnostic services such as Electrocardiograms (ECG), Exercise Tolerance Tests (ETT), Angiography, Angioplasty, Electrophysiology studies, and CT scans. These diagnostic tools play a pivotal role in the accurate assessment and management of cardiovascular diseases.[2] - ECG, ETT, Angiography, Angioplasty, Electrophysiology, CT Scan
The hospital offers outpatient services, advanced diagnostics, interventional and invasive cardiology, as well as cardiac surgery. The hospital also provides fully equipped cardiac ambulatory services 24/7. Each year, more than 160,000 patients are examined in the OPD, with over 17,000 admissions. As the second largest cardiac centre in Pakistan, after NICVD Karachi, PIC performs 31,000 echocardiograms, 4,000 nuclear medicine procedures, 16,000 angiograms, 3,500 angioplasties (including 5,000 stents placements), and 2,500 cardiac surgeries annually.[1]
Research and training
editPunjab Institute of Cardiology is also actively involved in research and postgraduate training in cardiology, cardiac surgery and anesthesia. It is the first ISO certified hospital in the government sector.[citation needed]
In 2015, the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan selected the Punjab Institute of Cardiology for training in Electrophysiology and Interventional Cardiology.[3]
90% of patients at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) receive free treatment; it is a government-funded hospital.[1]
Emergency department expansion
editAn expanded emergency department is to open in March 2016 and was near completion in January 2016. This will help the hospital handle heavy workload better at the emergency department.[4]
Incidents
edit2012 patient deaths crisis
editAn incident that occurred in January 2012 at this institution showed a problem with drug packaging. That month more than 100 heart patients died of overdoses from a particular drug that had inadequate labeling. Hundreds more patients suffered nonfatal adverse reactions from this drug. This problem, while bringing unwanted attention to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, was not unique to that hospital system.[5][6]
2019 attack
editOn 11 December 2019, in an unprecedented assault on a hospital led to death of 3 patients and injuries to several others. However, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) of Pakistan reports for death of 12 patients during the attack at hospital.[7] Reportedly a large number of lawyers started marching from Mall Road Lahore and gathered outside the Punjab Institute of Cardiology to protest against a mocking viral video. They closed the hospital's entrance and exit points, within no time their protest turned violent and remained catastrophic for hours.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ a b c Healthcare facilities: '90% of PIC patients receive free treatment The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 12 February 2014, Retrieved 14 March 2018
- ^ https://pic.punjab.gov.pk/ [bare URL]
- ^ Punjab Institute of Cardiology selected for FCPS training The Nation (newspaper), Published 2 October 2015, Retrieved 14 March 2018
- ^ Healthcare facilities: New PIC emergency department to open in March 2016 The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 7 January 2016, Retrieved 14 March 2018
- ^ Countering the Problem of Falsified and Substandard Drugs (Washington: National Academies Press, 2013), p. 169.
- ^ Ensuring Safe Foods and Medical Products Through Stronger Regulatory Systems (Washington: National Academies Press, 2012), p. 115.
- ^ Shahab Omer (11 December 2019). "Lawyers storm Lahore hospital, leave at least 3 patients dead". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ Rana Bilal, Kinza Malik and Waseem Riaz (11 December 2019). "3 patients die as lawyers' protest outside Lahore hospital turns violent". Dawn. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ Mubasher Bukhari (11 December 2019). "Lawyers ransack Pakistani hospital in row with doctors, patient dies". Reuters. Retrieved 11 December 2019.