Health camps a tool for private hospitals to hike occupancy | India News – Times of India

The practice of private hospitals organising medical camps to get more inpatients has come into focus with death of four patients in Ahmedabad following angioplasty which was deemed unnecessary. Often labelled as charitable or CSR activity, in reality, camps are marketing activities for private hospitals, including large corporate hospitals that are constantly trying to push up occupancy, say industry insiders.
Average occupancy in most hospital groups is about 60-70%. Footfalls in camps are closely monitored by marketing departments with calculations of what percentage of camp attendance gets converted to inpatients. There are quarterly plans for how many camps or outreach clinics have to be organised in which locations and of what specialties. These camps are not only organised within the regions where the hospitals are located but also in other states, especially states seen as promising “catchment areas” such as Bengal and the North-East. While some tie up with local health facilities or diagnostic set ups to provide logistical support, others have their own agents who make local arrangements.
“Hospital chains organise camps in the Andamans every week, despite the population being small. Most of these hospitals fly in super-specialists who do consultations and then refer patients back to the main hospitals for procedures. They aggressively target patients with heart, and bone and joint issues. A lot of valve replacement, stenting and knee replacements are being advised. Neurology and urology camps are also popular,” said a doctor who did not want to be identified.
In places with inadequate tertiary care facilities, the camps are advertised as an opportunity for consultation with “eminent doctors” who are “flying in” to provide “world-class healthcare” by conducting comprehensive health evaluation to provide personalised treatment plans.
The bait is often free health check-up, a few free medicines or free consultations. In some camps, consultation charges have to be paid while registration is free. Tests that cost a few hundred rupees like blood sugar, HB and BP check, ECG, weight and BMI measurement are done in the name of detecting health problems early and many are referred for “specialised treatment or surgery”, which could cost several thousands to a few lakh rupees, to the main hospital. “There is no external audit on whether the procedures recommended are necessary or appropriate,” said a doctor working for a corporate hospital.
The marketing departments have access to the database of patients who attended the camp and their diagnosis to follow up with reminders via emails, messages and calls. They have the responsibility of modifying the offer if the patients seem unsure. The focus is on how to increase extraction from camps, and even a 15-20% conversion to inpatients is considered decent.