KEM Hospital has introduced a new ‘Radial Lounge’ facility, designed to enhance post-procedure recovery for cardiac patients while also increasing the hospital’s capacity to treat more cases. By replacing traditional hospital beds with specialised recovery recliners, the facility allows doctors to manage patients more efficiently and reduce waiting times for urgent cardiac procedures.
Innovative Recovery Model for Cardiac Patients
Traditionally, heart patients undergoing procedures such as angiography were required to occupy hospital beds for several hours during post-procedure recovery. However, not all patients need full bed-based recovery—especially those treated through the radial artery approach via the wrist.
Unlike the conventional groin-based femoral access, the wrist-based radial procedure carries minimal risk of internal abdominal bleeding. As a result, patients can move more freely and do not require prolonged bed rest during recovery.
Recognising this advantage, KEM Hospital has created a dedicated radial recovery lounge, allowing patients to recover comfortably in recliner chairs instead of occupying critical hospital beds.
Five Specialised Recliners with Real-Time Monitoring
According to Dr. Sangeeta Ravat, Dean of KEM Hospital, the primary objective of the initiative is to reduce waiting times for new cardiac admissions while maintaining high standards of patient care.
As reported by TOI, the newly established Radial Lounge features five specialised medical recliner chairs, each equipped with real-time vital monitoring systems to ensure patient safety during recovery.
The project was implemented at a cost of over ₹75 lakh and was made possible through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding from The Indian Hume Pipe Co. Ltd.
Increasing Daily Capacity to Treat Cardiac Patients
Dr. Ajay Mahajan, Head of the Cardiology Department at KEM Hospital, explained that earlier the hospital had limited options for post-procedure care.
“Previously, we had no choice but to keep patients in hospital beds while they recovered after radial artery procedures. Each day, beds remained occupied for several hours. With the introduction of the Radial Lounge, we can free up beds more quickly and effectively increase our capacity to treat additional patients,” he said.
Thanks to this new system, KEM Hospital can now potentially save five more lives every day by accommodating more urgent cardiac cases.
Improving Patient Comfort in Public Hospitals
Although day-care cardiac procedures are common in both private and public hospitals, post-procedure patient comfort has not always been optimal in public healthcare settings.
A cardiologist from another BMC hospital noted that similar recovery lounges are still uncommon in many public hospitals. Currently, patients are often observed in small rooms or seated on standard chairs, sometimes without advanced monitoring systems.
“There is often no monitor, and the seating may not be very comfortable. Still, we manage the situation with the resources available,” the cardiologist explained.
A Step Forward in Public Cardiac Healthcare
With the introduction of the Radial Lounge, KEM Hospital has taken a significant step toward modernizing cardiac care in public hospitals. The initiative not only improves patient comfort but also enhances operational efficiency, faster patient turnover, and better utilization of hospital beds.
Ultimately, innovations like this help ensure that more patients receive timely life-saving cardiac treatment, particularly in high-demand public healthcare institutions.