Jaipur: Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital is showing the way to treat various types of blood cancer and other blood-related disorders, including aplastic anaemia, myeloma, lymphoma, leukaemia and thalassemia.

Despite the higher risk of infections in ICUs, the hospital has not reported a single mortality. Some 19 patients have undergone autologous bone marrow transplant since 2009 at the hospital. Patients who have done the transplant are vulnerable to infections as they have to stay in post-operative care in ICUs for 14 to 54 days.

While the high dose of chemotherapy put patients at the risk of death, the rejection of graft (bone marrow) remains a major concern for doctors.

Though patients are given immunosuppressive medicines to deal with the risk of rejection, they make patients more immune-compromised which in turn make them more vulnerable to infections.

But despite all these risk factors, the hospital has not witnessed a single death of patients who have undergone autologous bone marrow transplant.

"We maintain high standards and follow protocol of ICUs. We do not allow anyone to enter the ICUs. One attendant with one patient is allowed, but we allow him to enter the ICU only after he changes his clothes completely and follows all norms in ICUs to minimise the risk of infection," said Dr Sandeep Jasuja, head of the department (medical oncology), SMS Medical College.

But still, 36% (7 patients) of these 19 patients contracted bacterial (due to Escherichia coli, enterobacter, pseudomonas), fungal and viral infections. However, the doctors brought the situation under control by providing them antibiotics and other drugs.

Read more here:
Bone marrow transplants: SMS leads the way - Times of India

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