Authors (including presenting author) :
Mo KC(1), Ng MW(1), Lee CY(1), Poon KH(1), Tsang HC(1), To YL(1), Sun TF(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Physiotherapy department, North District Hospital,(2)Hospital Chief Executive Office, North District Hospital
Introduction :
In Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic, medical service demand was in a surge around the world, especially in accident and emergency(A&E) departments, isolation wards and facilities, and there was no exception in Hong Kong.
Being a member of healthcare professions in handling COVID cases, physiotherapists do have significant roles in different positions to facilitate the acute management and rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19 infection. Now, most of the available evidence or recommendations are focusing on critical and acute phase. There is still lack of evidence in the physio-therapeutic management in community.
The major roles of outreach physiotherapy in managing stable or acute stabilized confirmed COVID-19 cases in the community are summarized and described with case reports. This study will provide insight on the roles of outreach physiotherapy in managing clinically stable COVID-19 patients. It will provide preliminary evidence for further planning on healthcare strategies and research directions, especially for public health emergency situation like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objectives :
To outline the major roles of outreach physiotherapy in managing COVID-19 cases.
Methodology :
This is a retrospective case study. Our team aims to describe the role of outreach physiotherapy in managing patients with COVID-19 infection, by reviewing and summarizing relevant medical records.
Result & Outcome :
There were 121 patients referred for NDH outreach physiotherapy service from February to April 2022, with 25 patients infected by COVID-19. After the comprehensive review, four themes concerning physio-therapeutic management to COVD-19 patients were sorted and identified.
To retain residents of care homes infected with COVID-19, avoid A&E visit and hospital admission, there are two physiotherapy interventions. First, urgent on-site chest physiotherapy was provided for those cohorted in residential care homes. Second, short-term oxygen therapy titration for patients with clinical respiratory desaturation was provided with streamlined arrangement of accessories.
To support home care and avoid re-admission, there are another two physiotherapy interventions. First, intensive home-based rehabilitation was offered to train up those with significant physical deterioration after COVID-19 infection. Second, tele-care was provided for those who discharged from hospital and still under home-quarantine period, for symptoms monitoring, providing necessary information and mental support.
To conclude, community physiotherapist has several roles in managing clinically stable COVID-19 patients, to prevent overstretching A&E, avoid hospital admission, re-condition of fragile cases and support cases for safe and symptoms monitoring during home surveillance and quarantine.
