Authors: (including presenting author): :
Leung PY(1), Law YL(2), Leung H(2), Chu KM (2), Tsang KF(1), Chan CY(1), Tam S(2), Chan CH(3), Wong MC(1), Lo SH(1), Tung Y(1), Wong CS (1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Department of Clinical Oncology, New Territories West Cluster
(2) Yan Oi Tong - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Centre for Training and Research (Tuen Mun), HKSAR
(3) Nursing Services Division, New Territories West Cluster
Introduction: :
The first Chinese Medicine Hospital in Hong Kong will be set up. Today patients receive health-care services embracing a comprehensive array of therapies, integrating the technological advances of conventional medicine and concepts of complementary medicine. In 2014, the government started to subsidize in-patient services providing Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine (ICWM) treatment in defined public hospitals. In the past five years, 433 patients under cancer palliative care were recruited at the Tuen Mun Hospital to gain experience for the first Chinese Medicine Hospital.
Objectives: :
To gain practical experience of the management of Chinese and Western Medicine for Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital
To further alleviate the symbols of cancer patients
To develop in-patient ICWM services in the exiting health care system
Methodology: :
Nurses were empowered to perform screening assessments for all admitted patients in advance, before Medical Officers referring cases to Chinese Medicine Practitioners. If a patient was interested in Chinese Medicines (CM), nurses would provide information and have the essential competencies in collaborating with other related professional teams. The assessments cover laboratory results of renal liver function and the international normalized ratio (INR), financial status and acceptance of CM. Checklists were designed for both Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Preventive and corrective actions would be taken to minimize the risks of herb-drug interactions and adverse effects. The team would reschedule the administration of prescribed Chinese Medicine (CM) and Western Medicine (WM) to avoid any possible interaction. Based on the conditions of patients, the team decided a treatment plan to maximize the benefits of patients. Before discharge, patients or relatives would be educated to administrate both CM and WM.
Result & Outcome: :
Today, Complementary Medicine has been widely used with Conventional Medicine. Establishing patient’s understanding of Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine and discussing the risks and benefits are both important. In the satisfaction survey, the average scores were over 8 out of 10. The number of bed days was over 500. The number of administration of oral Chinese Medicine was 4490 and the number of acupuncture treatment was 2217. In the past five years, neither adverse effects nor herb-drug interactions occurred. The experience gained from the programme will be useful for the Hong Kong first Chinese Medicine Hospital.
