In order to implement the rules required as a minimum standard for intensive care units, the Supreme Court has requested that all states and Union Territories create a "realistic and practical" action plan.
The Supreme Court was notified that "Guidelines for Organization and Delivery of Intensive Care Services" have been prepared. These guidelines are widely accepted, feasible, and essential as a minimum standard for an intensive care unit.
All states and UTs should receive copies of the guidelines, according to a bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan."Moving further, as an immediate measure, let all the additional chief secretaries/secretaries ... heading the department of health and medical education in the states and the UTs, convene a meeting of all experts involved in this exercise to prepare an action plan for implementation of the guidelines. Such a plan shall be realistic and practical," the court ordered on April 20.

A case concerning healthcare services, particularly protocols for the care of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), was being heard by the highest court.
"The challenge ... lies in determining what ought to be treated as absolutely essential and mandatory; accordingly, an initial list of five basic requirements, in terms of priority, relating to both manpower and equipment/logistics, shall be prepared," it stated.
It stated that a methodology and, more crucially, a system to guarantee compliance and implementation monitoring should be developed."We anticipate that the exercise will start right away and that the first meeting will take place within a week. The bench declared, "We direct that the concerned additional chief secretary/secretary ... heading the department of health and medical education in the states and the UTs shall personally attend the meeting."
It stated that the Secretary of the Department of Health, Government of India, should receive the report prepared in accordance with the discussions from the corresponding states and UTs. The Secretary would then distribute it to all states and UTs.
The bench stated that after that, all parties involved should get together to prepare and distribute a final, mutually approved draft.It stated that the entire process must be finished in three weeks. "A final report/blueprint/recommendation shall be prepared, which shall be placed before this court on the next date," it stated.
"Let the Indian government's Ministry of Health formally send out an advise to the states and UTs in question regarding the guidelines that were presented to us today. The bench posted the case for further hearing on May 18 and stated, "A copy of it shall also be uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Health, Government of India."
It was proposed at the hearing that the nursing staff should be prepared to deal with such circumstances in the future because, unlike doctors, they stay with the patient around-the-clock.

"We wholeheartedly support the proposal, which is both necessary and practical. The Indian Nursing Council and the Para Medical Council of India are thus included as party respondents, the bench declared.
It stated that on the following date, the newly added replies must develop a strategy outlining how they intend to enhance the courses, curriculum, and training they provide so that individuals graduating from institutions they have recognised are capable of managing and controlling situations in the intensive care units.