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Chandigarh, Oct 7: The Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) Chandigarh Chapter, successfully organized *“NORA CARE 2025 – Non-Operating Room Anaesthesia: Challenges, Advances, Resources & Excellence”* today at Lecture Theatre–1, PGIMER.
The national CME provided an enriching academic platform that brought together **51 expert faculty members** from six key specialties—Anaesthesia, Gastroenterology, Psychiatry, Dental Sciences, Radiodiagnosis, and Neurosurgery. Over **100 delegates**, including resident doctors and practicing clinicians, participated in **15 scientific sessions and 5 hands-on workshop focusing on cutting-edge developments in Non-Operating Room Anaesthesia (NORA). The programme was **accredited by the Punjab Medical Council ensuring high standards of professional learning and continuous medical education.
The event was **inaugurated by Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER**, who commended the department’s continued emphasis on patient safety and innovation. “*Anaesthesia today extends far beyond the operating theatre. Non-operating room settings—such as endoscopy suites, interventional radiology units, and MRI suites—demand the same precision, preparedness, and teamwork that define operative care. PGIMER continues to set national benchmarks in developing safe anaesthesia practices across all patient care areas,*lsaid Prof. Koushal.
The **keynote address** was delivered by **Prof. Aveek Jayant**, who spoke on *“From Challenge to Opportunity: Transforming Non-Operating Room Anaesthesia with Technology, Training, and Teamwork for a Safer Tomorrow.”* He emphasized that with the growing complexity of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions outside the traditional operation theatre, there is an urgent need for structured training, interdepartmental coordination, and robust monitoring systems to ensure patient safety.
**Organizing Chairperson, Prof. Kajal Jain**, in her opening remarks, highlighted PGIMER’s pioneering role in advancing anaesthesia practice and education. “*Our aim through NORA CARE 2025 was to bring attention to the unique challenges and safety concerns in non-operating environments. This CME provided a multi-disciplinary learning opportunity, reinforcing that safe anaesthesia care is not confined by location but defined by competence, communication, and compassion,*lstated Prof. Jain.
Adding to the perspective, *Prof. Kajal Jain said, “*The hands-on workshops and interactive sessions were designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice. Through simulated scenarios, participants were able to experience and troubleshoot the critical aspects of patient monitoring, airway management, and crisis response in non-traditional settings.’
The event also fostered collaboration among clinicians from diverse disciplines, creating a valuable exchange of experiences and innovations. The sessions underscored the importance of comprehensive preparation, standardized protocols, and the integration of technology to enhance patient safety in remote or constrained procedural areas. |
