Question NW20 to the Minister of Health
01 August 2024 - NW20
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1) Whether (a) nurses who work in the high care and intensive care units (ICU) are required to register with the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa (CCSSA); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether doctors who are not intensivists are allowed to work in the ICU and administer treatment to patients; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the ICU holds a separate medical file from the main hospital file of each patient; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) how can family members receive a copy of all ICU records, including the CCSSA counselling session notes?
Reply:
- It is not mandatory for nurses who work in the high care and intensive care units (ICU) to register with the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa (CCSSA).
- South Africa does not have a large number of medical doctors who are trained as intensivists (ICU specialists). Medical doctors who are not intensivists are therefore allowed to work in the ICU and administer treatment to patients provided that they have received appropriate basic training for managing critically ill patients.
- ICU holds a separate medical file from the main hospital file of each patient At the ICU the clinicians use ICU charts to capture patient’s condition during their stay.
- The family members are required to follow processes as stipulated by the Promotion of Access to information Act which gives the constitutional right of access to any information held by the State and any information held by private bodies that is required for the exercise and protection of any rights. They should therefore submit an application to the hospital chief executive officer requesting access to the record/s.
END.