Authors (including presenting author) :
Yeung WS (1), CHOW PS(1), YUE NT(1), CHAN NY(1), CHOY KL(1), CHEUNG HY(1), LAU PY(1), CHANG SLE(2), CHEN KK(1), HUI TS(1), WONG YFB(1), LAM HSB (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Extended Care Ward, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, North Lantau Hospital
(2) Infection Control Team, North Lantau Hospital
Introduction :
North Lantau Hospital Extended Care Ward provides extended medical and geriatric care to patients for rehabilitation. There is potential risk for those patients to have acquired infection diseases during a period of stay in hospital. A pilot project of installation the Anti-microbial (Sporicidal) Disposable Curtain was implemented in an extended ward to provide better environmental infection control and prevent Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) for patients since April 2020.
Objectives :
(1) To control environmental factors to preventing patients suffering from HAI
(2) To promote occupational health safety by reducing work above ground manual handling operation (MHO) procedures of changing curtains
(3) To improve service quality and better utilization of resource as reducing cost of laundry, manpower and treatment related to Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) diseases
Methodology :
In collaboration with NLTH infection control team, proposal and budget approval was supported by management in April 2020. The project was implemented with three steps:
(1) Anti-microbial (Sporicidal) Curtains were installed with a specification of about 12 months durability in all clinical cubicles with 40-beds extended care ward.
(2) Training was provided to all clinical staff and supporting staff on how to use and maintenance the Anti-microbial (Sporicidal) Curtains in addition all related infection control measures. Compliance audit was performed
(3) Regular environmental samplings were taken and the no. of HAI patients were monitored, also staff feedback was collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the project
Result & Outcome :
In comparing with 2019, the result of regular environmental sampling conducted by Infection Control Team on ward cloth curtains, there were no microorganism shown on any part of the curtain after implementation of Anti-microbial Curtains. HAI rate (/1,000 Patient-bed Day/Unit) for total newly acquired MRSA were improved from 0.66 to 0.36 (2019 to 2020) with the effect of all compliance of infection control measures. Ward staff evaluation also showed with positive feedback in the aspect of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as largely reduced MHO work and risk related to work above ground during changing curtain.
Conclusions
The installation of Anti-microbial (Sporicidal) Curtains in clinical areas have positive contribution in controlling and preventing Hospital Acquired Infection of patients. It is not only improve service quality but also enhance better utilization of hospital resources.
