Authors: (including presenting author): :
Wong KL(1), Ho SM(1), Ng YB(1), Man KW(2), Leung LM(2)
Affiliation: :
(1) United Christian Hospital Ward 13A, Isolation Ward, United Christian Hospital, (2) Nursing Services Division, United Christian Hospital
Introduction: :
COVID-19 pandemic started since December 2019. As at 10 Jan 2021, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has recorded a total 9243 cases of COVID-19, including 158 fatal cases in Hong Kong. Enormous number of confirmed cases were admitted to isolation wards throughout the year. The related investigations and treatments, including resuscitation of those COVID-19 cases induced huge stress to isolation ward core team members.
In September 2020, A “Team Alignment and preparatory workshop for Isolation Wards in handling COVID-19” was launched for the isolation ward core team members in UCH. It aimed to review the overall operation in past months and to prepare the core team for the coming wave of pandemic in a proactive approach.
Objectives: :
1. To review the operation workflow through sharing session to enhance the service in the coming wave of pandemic.
2. To build up and strengthen the team commitment and resilience for the isolation ward core team members.
Methodology: :
A program workshop was established to deal with these objectives. The workshop members included the DOM, Ward Manager and all the core team nursing and supporting staff in the isolation ward (13A) of UCH. Also, the SNO and APN from the Nursing Service Department were invited to facilitate the program sections. The program consisted of four main sections (4S)
1. Sharing of personal feeling throughout the months
2. Sharing and discussion on overall outbreak management
3. Suggestion from the staff to improve the service in the isolation ward
4. Skill enhancement
In the Morning section, several cell groups were formed to share and discuss for the above topics. Participants were encouraged to voice out their deep-down experiences and feelings, Ward Manager and DOM then replied for those point that stated from the staffs directly like a forum. The sections were performed in a peaceful and meaningful attitude. Several points were stated for the future enhancement in the isolation ward. Besides that, a Staff Recognition Corner was set up in the program venue, staffs can write down their feeling or cheer up messages to the other team members.
In the Afternoon section, a skill enhancement program was performed. The newcomers were invited to take roles in the simulation-based scenarios. With the help of the senior members, they were encouraged to take part in those high-risk procedure like resuscitation and transfer of COVID-19 cases so that to help them overcoming the difficulties and stress in dealing with COVID-19 cases. An evaluation was performed after the program.
Result & Outcome: :
Total 19 staffs excluding the facilitators were participated in the program. The feedback was positive from the participants. They agreed the sections were meaningful and useful. All the staffs had got some messages from the others. They feel warm and encouraged which helped them to relieve their stress sustain their work in the isolation ward.
COVID-19 pandemic had last for a whole year. We hope that the pandemic will end soon since ward staffs are still facing different kinds of challenges every day. A good team spirit is essential for the sustainability of the isolation ward service. This program could be a very good demonstration on strengthen the team commitment and resilience in the isolation ward.
