The Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum Medical College, is located in the capital of Kerala. Founded in 1951 and dedicated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, it is Kerala’s oldest medical college. The Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) is a leader in the field of neurosciences, providing quality healthcare and teaching, and conducting cutting-edge research. Its Department of Neurology has shaped the current face of neurology in the region, cementing its reputation by achieving a diamond level WSO Angels Award.
Doctors and nurses from various departments engaged with the Angels Academy to complete most of the available courses and training programs, and the hospital participated in masterclasses and simulation workshops facilitated by Angels consultants. GMCH was the first public sector hospital in the region to implement thrombolysis therapy for acute ischemic stroke patients and provides treatment free of charge to underprivileged members of society. Its stroke unit is operational around the clock, with a well-equipped team lead by an on-call neurologist.
GMCH partnered with the Angels Initiative to pursue a common goal of optimizing stroke care. The partnership has focused on the development of stroke care to enhance the expertise and confidence of doctors and nurses administering r-TPA.
The thrombolysis rate, door-to-treatment times and door-to-imaging times have all improved over the past three years. The hospital enrolled with the quality monitoring registry RES-Q in May 2019 and achieved stroke-ready status the following month.
The Department of Neurology admits more than 1,000 patients with stroke annually. Although optimizing stroke care remains a big challenge for this busy government facility, the Department of Neurology strives to reduce disability among stroke survivors by providing an improved standard of care in the Thiruvananthapuram region.
Between March 2018 and July 2021, the thrombolysis rate increased from 11% to 16%. The median door-to-treatment time was reduced from 85 minutes to 60 minutes, and 25% of ischemic stroke patients now receive treatment within 45 minutes of arrival, which is well below the recommended 60 minutes. Over the same period, the average door-to-image time was reduced to less than 25 minutes, an improvement of 28%, and 35 stroke and ICU nurses completed the online Stroke Nurse Certification course.
These improvements were recognized in Q2 2021 when, under the leadership of Neurology head of department Dr Thomas Iype and through the sustained efforts of Dr Dileep Ramachandran and other professors and neurology residents, the hospital received its first WSO Angels Award, achieving Diamond status (the highest possible honors).
Find out more about the WSO-Angels Awards program
Figure1. After a simulation at Trivandrum Medical College, Dept. Of Neurology, 2019.
Figure2. After SNC Course completion and RES-Q meeting at Trivandrum Medical College, Dept. Of Neurology, 2021
Figure3. WSO Angels Awards Diamond Status Won by Trivandrum Medical College, Dept. Of Neurology, Q2 2021
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