Authors (including presenting author) :
LEE KWS, YU TWD, CHAN CMA
Affiliation :
Physiotherapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Introduction :
In the emerging challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant demand of Physiotherapy service for this group of patient in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), especially those old-aged and critically ill patients, who suffered from deconditioning and respiratory failure.
Few Physiotherapy colleagues have been deployed to treat these patients during the second wave of outbreak in March 2020. When there was an anticipated outbreak in mid-June, more staff were required to be deployed to ensure adequate workforce to fulfil increasing service demand. In order to ensure patient and staff safety during our practice, the QEH COVID-19 Physiotherapy Special Duty Team Staff Engagement Program has been established to enhance staff preparedness.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness and staff satisfaction of the program in preparing staff for the COVID-19 Physiotherapy Special Duty Team service.
Methodology :
The program started since June 2020. It involved simulation training to share special practical skills so that the service could be provided in a safe and effective way, reinforcement of infection control measures in order to ensure staff, patient and environmental protection, wards tour round to involved clinical areas helped colleagues to familiar with the workflow, and also clinical attachment to enhance practical skills. Besides, on-site support for each staff during the early phase of their roster was provided, so that timely assistance could be offered whenever necessary. After the duty, debriefing session was provided for service quality improvement and further psychological support.
Result & Outcome :
Thirty-eight Physiotherapy colleagues joined the program and finished their special duty service afterwards. There was 18.4% Senior Physiotherapists and the remaining 81.6% was Physiotherapist I. Staff satisfaction survey was conducted and the respond rate was 84.2% (32 respondents out of 38 participants). All colleagues agreed (50% strongly agree and 50% agree) that they have obtained required skills and knowledge to perform necessary tasks in clinical setting. All of them also satisfied with the program (61.3% strongly satisfied and 38.7% satisfied). In conclusion, the program enhanced staff preparedness, in terms of clinical skills and psychological well-being, to ensure staff could provide safe and effective treatment to this group of patients.
