Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong PY(1)(4), Kwong KK(2)(4), Kwok FY(1), Leung CP (4), Aboo GH(6) Lau CW(6)
Affiliation :
1 Accident & Emergency Department, PYNEH, 2 Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, RTSKH 3 Nethersole Clinical Simulation Training Centre PYNEH,4 Accident & Emergency Department, RTSKH, 5 Accident & Emergency Department, SJH, 6 Quality & Safety Office, HKEC
Introduction :
During the 5th wave of COVID in 2022, the number of deceased bodies in the PYNEH Accident and Emergency Department’s Deceased on arrival (DOA) room was overwhelming and required extra storage in the hospital's mortuary. This was one of the contributors that led to an incident of incorrect identification of two bodies with similar names before transferring to the public mortuary. Traditionally, deceased body identification in A&E was only done manually by checking on wristbands. Therefore, we adopted IT technology for deceased body identification to attempt to eliminate the above type of error.
Objectives :
To use develop an advanced recognition system in A&E for correct identification of deceased body before transferring the body to public mortuary.
Methodology :
The idea of using a 2D barcode identifying system was developed to provide correct identification of the deceased body before transferring the body to public mortuary. It was supported by COC AED and the Hospital Authority Head Office. A project team including AED staff from PYNEH, RTSKH, SJH and Cluster Q&S Office was established in Q3 2022 to assess project feasibility with workflow refinement. HKEC IT department supported the development of 2D barcode scanners and IT solutions. Frontline nursing staff and hospital management were engaged.
Result & Outcome :
The project concept received favourable and encouraging feedback. from various management committees in HAHO and cluster level. The initiative will be piloted in PYNEH and RTSKH Accident and Emergency Department in Q4 2023. Training will be carried out to A&E staff, including staff forum, demonstration and return-demonstration, and staff practical assessment. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Handling Deceased Bodies in A&E would be modified. Contingency plan would be established to tackle event system failure and emergency situation.
In addition to manual checking, adopting IT technology can further guarantee accurate deceased body identity verification
