Punjab bans mobile phones in critical care units to improve emergency services

Punjab issues directive to enhance emergency care, bans mobile phones in ICUs, OTs

LAHORE: The Punjab Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department has banned mobile phone usage by hospital staff in critical care areas and directed the enforcement of emergency preparedness protocols. The instructions are aimed at improving emergency response, service delivery, and patient safety.

According to an official circular, the department has prohibited staff from Grade 18 and below from using mobile phones during duty hours in emergency wards, ICUs, neonatal ICUs, and operation theaters across all public hospitals in the province. The decision comes amid rising concerns that excessive mobile phone usage during duty hours is negatively affecting patient care quality and safety.

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“Uninterrupted and quality healthcare is the fundamental right of every patient,” the directive emphasized, calling on all medical superintendents and department heads to ensure full enforcement.

Key directives to strengthen emergency care

The department’s circular outlines several urgent measures aimed at enhancing hospital readiness and compliance with Punjab Healthcare Commission’s Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS). These include:

• Strict enforcement of mobile phone bans in critical care areas
• Implementation of emergency code systems (e.g., Code Blue, Code Red)
• Operationalization of a pager system to improve critical alert response
• Full enforcement of IV injection SOPs, especially for nursing students
• Regular staff training sessions for emergency preparedness
• Submission of detailed death audit reports and meeting minutes from January 1, 2025, onwards

Additionally, the circular stresses that compliance reports must be submitted within three days, outlining actions taken to meet these standards.

Mobile phone ban targets distraction in sensitive areas

The department has particularly targeted mobile phone usage in life-saving units, where distractions can compromise care delivery. By eliminating non-essential phone use, officials hope to reduce communication delays, boost response times, and ensure a more focused work environment.

Hospital administrators are required to monitor compliance closely and ensure staff adhere to the policy without exceptions.

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