Authors (including presenting author) :
SO EHK, NG GWY, CHEUNG VKL, SO SS, HUNG JLK, LEUNG ASH, CHIA NH
Affiliation :
Multi-Disciplinary Simulation and Skills Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Introduction :
Queen Elizabeth Hospital received the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on 23 January 2020 and the region raised to “Emergency Response” Level on 25 January 2020. Further to preparatory plan proactively launched by our hospital senior management, a hospital-based training program was rapidly arranged to enhance preparedness, infection control systems and protocols, patient safety, as well as individual competency and teamwork for the imminent threat of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers (HCWs).
Objectives :
To report coverage and effectiveness of the hospital-wide multidisciplinary healthcare simulation training program for COVID-19 patients.
Methodology :
In collaboration with Q&S, ICT, CND, and other clinical departments, Multi-Disciplinary Simulation and Skills Centre (MDSSC) established training curriculum for COVID-19 endotracheal intubation, defined role in teams, modified the guidelines and workflow logistics, integrated feedback and opinions of trained staff into hospital standard of practice. When operation needs, manpower issues, availability of training venues, and clinical safety were taken into accounts, the following management strategies were utilized: i) use parallel simulation mode, ii) accept observers, iii) 1st priority for isolation ward training, iv) achieve 80% training coverage (about 1400 out of 1754 potential targets).
Training sessions were conducted either i) in MDSSC for staff working or to-be-rotated to Isolation Ward and General Ward staff or ii) inside A&E/ ICU as in-situ simulation. Of 3200 doctors and nurses in QEH, 1754 (55%) from ICU, A&E, MED, SURG, Anaes & OTS, O&T, O&G, and SOPD fell into our pool of trainees. By the end of the training, participants would be able to perform proper donning and doffing of PPE, AGPs under standard guidelines, and as a team with clear role delineation defined by protocol.
Result & Outcome :
Through 101 sessions carried out between 5 February and 18 March 2020, 1,415 hospital staff members, including 1167 nurses, 163 doctors and 85 other professionals, were trained. The training coverage, in either in-situ or simulation lab-based mode was 81%. Regardless of mode of simulation training and clinical backgrounds, most participants felt satisfied with the simulation training, in terms of training needs (91%), training design (90%), simulation (88%), debriefing (91%), and instructor feedback (89%). According to hospital statistics, there was zero nosocomial transmission to HCWs during subsequent endotracheal intubation of COVID patients.
Conclusion:
An early planned and well-structured multidisciplinary hospital-wide simulation training program was organized expeditiously to provide extensive staff coverage. The insight and experience gained from this training program is valuable for future infectious disease challenges.
