THE ROLE OF WHATSAPP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POST COVID-19 MUCORMYCOSIS IN A REGIONAL EYE HOSPITAL ATTACHED TO A MEDICAL COLLEGE

Objective: Mucormycosis after Covidattack had devastating effecton the patients and family. The objective of this study is to emphasize the role of social media like WhatsApp in the management of Mucormycosis in a Regional eye hospital attached to a medical college.

Material and Methods: This study is a descriptive observational study. Data from June 2021 to February 2022 from ourmedical college comprising multiple health facilities, posted in a common WhatsApp group is studied and analysed using Microsoft Excel-2019 software

Results: Data of 451 patients was posted in the group during the study period. (178 patients from ENT hospital and 273 patients from General Hospital). A total of 247 surgeries were documented (144 from ENT hospital and 103 from General Hospital). 325 patients were discharged after successful treatment.30 patients who were undergoing treatment at General hospital succumbed to Mucormycosis. 74 patients either left against medical advice/ absconded/ referred to higher centres for further management. Average response time to the message posted in the group is around 10 minutes.

Conclusion: In the hectic schedules of doctorsand in the scenario of highrisk of exposure to them in treating both covid-19 and post covid Mucormycosis, social media platform WhatsApp provided afeasible solution for exchanging information ondiagnosis, investigations and optimization of treatment. It therebycontributed to timely and effective management of Mucormycosis.