Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan YL(2)(6）, Kwan SY (1)(6）, Chan SK(5)(6), Lau SY(3)(6), O’Young CC (1)(6）, Winnie So SH(4)(6), Yip CH(1)(6）
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Anaesthesiology & Operating Services,
(2) Specialist Out-Patient Clinic, (3) Day Surgery Unit,
(4) Department of Ear Nose & Throat/Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences,
(5) Department of Endoscopy Unit, (6) Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
Introduction :
The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been threatened globally, enhanced the triage system was important by early reducing the risk of nosocomial infections. The AHNH Central Triage was set up to detect and identified the high-risk patients.
Objectives :
1. Enhance patient’s safety to reduce the risk of infections among patients.
2. Minimize the risk of cross-infection of COVID-19 among healthcare workers
3. Optimize usage of PPE during the shortage supply of PPE.
4. Enhance the communication and smooth the logistic workflow by using standardized FTOCC Screening Protocol.
5. Reduce staffs’ anxiety by decreasing the number of staff in exposing to high-risk area where FTOCC screening service performed.
6. Avoid the repeated triage episode when patient attend various clinical services at the same day.
Methodology :
Retrospective review the effectiveness of Central Triage Team in screening of potentially infected patient.
All patients and caregivers were not only triaged but also detected their temperature in the main entrance.
Any patients with acute respiratory symptoms and /or fever were not allowed to attend the clinic. Reschedule their appointments or arrange drug refill. Special arrange patients to the appropriate waiting area. Any patients having fever directed them to A&E.
Retrospective review the role of CTT in the resources allocation perspective by comparing the usage of PPE and manpower before and after the provision of FTOCC screening service.
Result & Outcome :
60 patients out of 19,0782 patients or caregivers from Feb17 to 26 June 2020 were rescheduled their appointment. No one got infection.
CTT could significantly decrease the usage of both manpower and PPE by 35%, 45% respectively, hence saving plenty of resources, as well decreasing the number of staff in exposing to high-risk area where screening service performed.
The AHNH Central Triage Team effectively screened the patients and identified the high-risk patients, smooth logistic workflow and saving lots of PPE during the critical shortage PPE period.
