Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung WKW. (1)(2), Lee WM (1)(5), So KY (1)(4), Pun KF (1)(4), Wong SP (1)(3)
Affiliation :
(1) Hong Kong Infectious Disease Centre, Princess Margret Hospital, (2) Registered Nurse, (3) Advanced Practice Nurse, (4) Ward Manager, (5) Department Operation Manager.
Introduction :
High prevalence of COVID-19 in Hong Kong caused a high burden in the medical system. Nurses, as health care professionals, play an important role in controlling the spread of COVID-19 within the hospital and community. Nurses’ psychological and occupational preparedness in dealing with the novel coronavirus are the important determinants of the success on the control and management of the COVID-19 in isolation ward setting. During COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong Infectious Disease Centre (HAIDC) introduced many interventions and departmental support with the implicit intention to help nurses and other health care professionals to cope with the crisis. Although nurses are now better prepared than before to handle the outbreaks, the preparedness of them in facing a large-scale global pandemic and their psychological challenges are still unknown and needs to be further explored.
Objectives :
The objectives of this study are to explore the concerns and challenges of nurses in HAIDC during the caring process for COVID-19 patients, their readiness and departmental preparedness work for staff in tackling the outbreak of COVID-19.
Methodology :
A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted from May to July 2020 at HAIDC. This project adopted a nurse survey method with a self-administrated questionnaire, participation was on voluntary basis. A tailor-made and content validated questionnaire was introduced, which divided into four parts to explore nurses’ general demographic data, their concerns and their readiness on COVID-19 patient care, also evaluate and collect their suggestion on the departmental preparedness on staff support.
Result & Outcome :
Results:
From May 2020 to July 2020, 88 nurses were participated, which 59% are HAIDC nurse and 41% are the red-list nurses came from different departments of PMH, 71% have received relevant ID nursing training (p< 0.001, X2 test). ‘Family arrangement prior working in COVID-19 unit’ (X2(2) = 7.63, p< 0.001), ‘accommodation arrangement from hospital’ (X2(2) = 6.19, p< 0.001) and ‘updated infection control guidance and instruction’ (X2(2) = 6.09, p< 0.001) were the top three nurses’ concern on working in COVID-19 isolation unit. Nurses agreed that working experience on ID nursing (96.6%), sufficient training on infection control (94.4%), familiarity on infection control measures (98.8%) and updated knowledge on COVID-19 case management (97.7%) could help them well-prepared, 97.7% felt well-equipped and showed readiness on providing COVID-19 patient care. For the evaluation on departmental preparedness and support, 98.9% agreed that IDC department have provided sufficient communication and information provision including regular team-brief, orientation to new-comer and training on high-risk procedure, and also the supportive arrangement on accommodation. Introduction of new equipment and advanced technologies can facilitate them to have effective clinical management (98.9% and 94.3% respectively). However, the score on PPE sufficiency was relatively low (89.8%), while 97.7% recommended on the arrangement of ad-hoc session on N95 fit-test. The overall satisfaction on HAIDC departmental management and support was 98.9%, both HAIDC nurses and red-list new-comers showed contentment and positive experience on COVID-19 patient care and the supportive management from HAIDC during pandemic.
Conclusion:
Nurses working in HAIDC established to become a strong team with high morale during the outbreak. They showed confidence and well-equipped on caring COVID-19 patient. Departmental preparedness management provided sufficient support for staff to overcome their concerns and worries and facilitate an effective clinical management. Nurses, whoever currently working in HAIDC or newly deploying by red-list, they built up confidence on effective COVID-19 patient care and also trustful staff relationship through the departmental preparedness and support.
