Authors (including presenting author) :
Chim CK, Chan LM, Lee LS, Wong SY, Chan SM Abel, Chan PW, Cheng HM, Kwok CM, Wong KM, Tong ML, Ma HM, Leung HY, Lee SW Jenny, Kwok ML Angela, Ho PY Becky, Hui E
Affiliation :
Community Outreach Services Team (COST), New Territories East Cluster (NTEC)
Introduction :
The COVID-19 pandemic hardly hits Hong Kong since February 2020. NTEC Community Outreach Services Team (COST) has risen to the challenge and responded swiftly to the unprecedentedly high demand with innovative solutions so as to support our clients in the community.
Objectives :
To provide timely support to clients
To reduce hospital admissions
Methodology :
I) A outbreak team has been set up to provide 7-day service and extended hours for the 118 elderly homes in NTEC. Proactive phone calls have been provided to the homes for early identification of outbreaks followed by timely supports and advice on infection control measures.
2. Telemedicine has been widely utilised to deliver clinical care during the various waves of COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. During 5th waves, telemedicine is very useful for timely prescription of anti-viral agent for confirmed residents so to stabilize residents’ health condition and minimize hospital admissions.
3) Subcutaneous infusion has been widely used to support confirmed residents or those with long COVID-19 syndrome who had reduced oral intake and dehydration. Tele-care is also adopted for monitoring of infusion site closely to ensure effective rehydration treatment.
4) In July of 2020, many RCHE staff and residents acquired COVID-19 infection. NTEC COST took extraordinary steps to take nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) with iQ Air in nursing homes for early detection of asymptomatic residents and prevention of further outbreaks.
5) COST supported close contacts or confirmed cases living in RCHEs and RCHDs evacuated to quarantine camps in Site-Y and Asia World Expo preventing further COVID-19 outbreaks among residents or care staff at these facilities. Special missions were also performed urgently to support community clients who transferred to AWE from congested AED during cold spell. COST acted as medical post to help service commandment in holding centre on time. Telemedicine also works in a supplementary way for provision of medical and nursing support.
6) In June 2022, i-Smart tele-nursing has been initiated including elder-friendly education video, QR code and tele-empowerment sessions via video call. This initiative is tailor-made for elderly clients and caregiver whose buildings under compulsory testing, and those who refused visit by nurses for fear of infection with the viruses.
Result & Outcome :
During these three years, over 2700 attendance were provided to support clients who were quarantine in CIF or isolated in holding centre. Starting from March 2022 till Jan 2023, over 3000 confirmed residents were prescribed timely with antiviral therapy via telemedicine. Hospital admissions were greatly reduced. Over 200 community clients were benefit from i-Smart tele-nursing service lastly.
