Authors (including presenting author) :
Mung MK(1), Chow KM(1), Lui GCY(1), Li CM(1), Yiu ALP(1), Pang WM(1), Yu PS(1), Chuei YM(1), Lee SY(1), Lin SY(1), Kwok KY(1), Cheung KF(1), Cheung KM(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital
Introduction :
Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic causing an unprecedented level of workload and pressure to healthcare system globally, especially to the frontline nurses who work in the infectious disease (ID) wards. They face a substantially high risk of infection and level of stress due to excessive COVID-19 exposure clinically. To support their psychological well-being and protect their safety in work, a nursing buddy system in ID ward have been developed and implemented.
Objectives :
1.To support nurses’ willingness and ability to continuous work in ID ward
2.Promote their psychological well-being and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
3.Smoothen the clinical workflow and ensure a safe environment to frontline nurses
Methodology :
Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle for quality improvement framework, a nursing buddy system was developed and implemented which includes 6 areas. (1) Donning and doffing of personal protective equipment, (2) Sharing updated COVID-19 information and guidelines, (3) Handling high risk specimen, (4) Handling high risk clinical wastage, (5) Meal delivery system and (6) Instant communication between nursing station and patients’ rooms. The outcome and effectiveness of the buddy system was evaluated by the dropout rate of frontline nurses in ID ward, the hospital acquired COVID-19 infection rate of nurses and a satisfaction level survey with a Likert-scaled response of 1-5 that higher reported scores denoting higher satisfaction were collected after the nurses stay in the ID ward for a 9-month period.
Result & Outcome :
Significant results shown in the effectiveness of the buddy system in 3 dimensions. (1) Promoted a supportive working atmosphere and maintained the psychological well-being of the frontline nurses that zero dropout rate of the nurses in the ID ward, (2) Minimized the risk of COVID-19 infection that no hospital acquired COVID-19 infection noted, (3) Established a safe working environment that more than half of the frontline nurses agreed the buddy system promoted a sense of safety in protecting themselves and their families, (4) A positive coping skill and future-oriented sense of hope developed to allow better management in psychological needs and take adaptive steps during facing challenges. Nurses’ satisfaction levels resulted in a mean scores greater than 3.5 out of 5.
