Authors (including presenting author) :
Tang Candic(1), Tong KM(2), Suen SM(3), Yik WM Jessica(4), Lau Christine(5), Cheng MW Sean(4), Lam Christina(6), Tse YF(7), Man HY(8), Cheung KC(9), Ng May(6), Leung LM(8), Ho Jack(2), Choi Twiki(2), Chiu Arhhas(2), Lau Billy(2), Leung KF(2), Lam Jeff(10), Cheung Lily(11), Sin Anthony(12), Lee Jeffrey(13), Tai Jeff(14), Heung Jerry(14), Chau SM Nicole (4), Mak Marco (4), Tsang WM Cibo(4), Cheung CM(4), Mak HY(5)
Affiliation :
(1)Kowloon West Cluster Central Nursing Department, (2)Kowloon West Cluster Information Technology Department, (3)Princess Margaret Hospital Neurosurgery Department, (4)Princess Margaret Hospital Medicine & Geriatric Department, (5)Princess Margaret Hospital Central Nursing Department, (6)Caritas Medical Centre Central Nursing Department, (7)Yan Chai Hospital Central Nursing Department, (8)North Lantau Hospital Central Nursing Department, (9)Yan Chai Hospital Medicine & Geriatric Department, (10)Kowloon West Cluster Facility Management Department, (11)Princess Margaret Hospital Facility Management Department, (12)Caritas Medical Centre Facility Management Department, (13)Yan Chai Hospital Facility Management Department, (14)Kowloon West Cluster BESS(CPMM)
Introduction :
The development of smart hospitals and workforces is essential in facilitating workflow efficiency and ensuring patient safety. KWC supports the development of electronic bed panels (eBedpanel) and electronic vital signs (eVital signs) and has planned and executed a mega rollout across KWC hospitals from 2021-23.
Objectives :
To plan and coordinate for the mega rollout of the eBedpanel and eVital signs for more than 4500 beds across KWC hospitals, from budget planning, site visiting, site preparation, workflow study, organizing training to project implementation.
Methodology :
A project team was formed to execute all preparation works and roll-out plans. A KWC workgroup was set up to coordinate and standardize hardware requirements, user requests, and basic provisions for project planning, involving all stakeholders and relevant parties including cluster hospital coordinators, IT team, FM team, and BESS team. The project team conducted cluster-wise site visits addressing special situations and formulating feasible solutions for clinical teams to facilitate project implementation. Tailor-made design iPad enclosures with much lower cost were developed to fit different bed units and cubicle view settings, and cluster tender was prepared. The project team performed site preparations including the planning of socket allocation with the support from FM team; planning of adequate WiFi coverage for eBedpanel and eVital signs with the support from IT team; workflow study for eVital signs implementation with individual specialties/clinical teams; arrangement for cubicle view eBedpanel for isolation rooms entrance and camp bed units; system enhancement supported by HOIT&HI team; and coordination for the provision and allocation of eVital-compatible vital signs monitors and others. The project team organized training for frontline users including nurses, supporting staff, and clerical staff; coordinated access right granting for CMS eVital functions; set up eVital webpage for training, sharing, and dissemination of information with hyperlinks to HOIT&HI webpage for update information.
Result & Outcome :
With this mega rollout, more than 4500 beds, 103 wards, 12 sites, and over 20 specialties/clinical teams in KWC cluster hospitals would experience the benefit of adopting the eVital signs. Cluster approach allowed cost saving for standardizing hardware, i.e for iPad enclosure mounting saved approximately HK$1.8M by refining quick win design compared with market available products and bulk contract arrangement. The signage and care information in eBedpanel had been standardized among KWC and integrated with all specialty information which allowed staff easy access to care giving information as well as work alignment between different setting. Supporting staff appreciated the efficiency in workflow with the vital signs taking and auto-charting. Nurses appreciated the clear and structured summary serving as an overview of patients’ conditions at a glance. Doctors appreciate the highly accessible eVital system offering a quick review of patients’ vital signs anywhere. The digitalized data of patients’ vital signs also provide clear and updated information for the healthcare team. Ward staff appreciate the clarity and user-friendly format of the eBedpanel. Feedback and satisfaction were high with the eVital system among different groups and ranks of staff. Staff welcome the mega rollout of the eVital project in KWC to streamline workflow and secure patient information transfer for safety care as well as reduce hard copy printing between KWC hospital transfer.
