Authors (including presenting author) :
SHIU YH, WONG LY, LEUNG KNS
Affiliation :
Cardiothoracic Surgical Department, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
Covid-19 is continuing its spread all over the world with non-stop waves by waves. The transmission rate of Covid-19 is higher compared to that of the other coronaviruses. Shareable equipment such as blood pressure cuff and pulse oximetry cable is usually high-touched objects; they are easily contaminated and served as a vehicle for disease transmission. Therefore, Hospital Authority started to implement “one patient one device” program to prevent cross transmission. However, disposable medical devices for single patient use is costly and environmental unfriendly. Therefore, internal circulated “one patient one device one journey” is introduced among units in Cardiothoracic surgical department (CTSD) in Queen Mary Hospital.
Objectives :
1. Safe hospitalization: to reduce cross infection by using “one patient
one device” method.
2. Save time: to save cleansing time as all items are disposable and they
are discarded after patient discharged.
3. Save cost: to implement internal circulation of the designated set among
different units can reduce the usage of disposable device.
Methodology :
The program has been launched from the fourth wave of Covid-19 in 2020. The non-critical medical devices chosen in the program are disposable blood pressure cuff, pulse oximetry cable and tourniquet. All patients are distributed a set of device from admission in general ward. The designated set is followed the same patient during their operation journey in CTSD from general wards to operation theatre (OT) then intensive care unit (ICU) and back to general wards. The designated set will be discarded after patient discharged.
Result & Outcome :
In 2020, there were 200 admissions per month in average with total 2400 cases per year in CTSD. One set of medical device costs around $50. By the “one patient one device one journey” circulated internally in general ward, OT, ICU and back to general ward within CTSD, $150 per person is saved. Thus, in proportional about $360k per year can be saved. This program did not only save the expense, but also deducted three times of disposable wastes and cleansing time.
Consequently safe hospitalization can be well achieved for all patients and as well as safe workplace for all healthcare workers. As a result, “one patient one device one journey” may be the way to help us fight against the long lasting worldwide pandemic battle.
