Authors (including presenting author) :
Poon C(1), NG WYJ(1), Lui YL(1), Tse KYG(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital
Introduction :
With the emergence of COVID-19, the need for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and intubation in isolation units has increased significantly. Emergency trolley (E-trolley) is commonly placed outside the Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR) during procedures owing to the limited space. Healthcare workers therefore need to travel between the isolation room, anteroom and corridor to obtain resuscitation materials. This results in a potential delay in the resuscitation process and interruption of negative pressure system. Thus, Rapid Response Trolley (RRT) that is smaller in size and contains essential resuscitation equipment is designed to work as a vanguard during resuscitation. E-trolley will be placed outside isolation room and serves as the backup.
Objectives :
1. To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of CPR and intubation process for nurses in AIIR 2. To reduce the wastage of medical resources
Methodology :
The phases of the project included (1) Formulating the content of RRT to support CPR and intubation; (2) Designing staff opinion survey with a 6-point Likert scale to evaluate nurses’ experience in using E-trolley and RRT; (3) Pilot trial of RRT in 2 isolation wards; (4) Finalizing the content and working logistic of RRT; (5) Implementing RRT in 6 isolation units; (6) Conducting the staff opinion survey; (7) Summarizing and reporting findings in descriptive data.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 65 nurses completed the survey. The E-trolley was placed near nursing station and the size was too big for isolation rooms. While the RRT was smaller in size and able to be placed in the isolation rooms. When comparing two trolleys, 97% of nurses agreed that using RRT was more effective and efficient as they traveled less frequently to access equipment during emergency situations. Without interruption of the negative pressure system, resuscitation procedures could be conducted smoothly and safely. Around 95% of nurses concurred that the size of the RRT was better to fit in the isolation rooms. 100% of nurses would move the RRT in the AIIR. Moreover, 96% of nurses expressed that terminal disinfection and refill of RRT was less time-consuming than E-trolley. It was because the quantity of equipment that needed to refill and potential contaminated items is minimized.
