Authors (including presenting author) :
CHAN KH, IP WK, CHAN WTC
Affiliation :
Linen Services & Laundry, Tuen Mun Hospital
Introduction :
There was around 2200 nurses in Tuen Mun Hospital. In general, most nurses wore uniform while those working in the isolated wards and Accident and Emergency Department used their own working clothes. The new-style nurse working clothes introduced by HAHO had been implemented in Tuen Mun Hospital since April 2020. The aims of the project are to standardize the working clothes of HA frontline nursing staff as well as to enhance the infection control in hospital. Regular washing and changing of clothes was regarded as an effective measure of infection control. This is particularly important at this time of a pandemic of COVID 19.
Objectives :
The research is intended to determine the optimal operation strategies of the working clothes counter by finding out nurses’ satisfaction towards the implementation of nurse working clothes, understanding of the value of implementation and identifying the areas for improvement of the project.
Methodology :
Simple random sampling was adopted in this research. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire consist of 11 questions in both Chinese and English. The survey was conducted in late March 2021 at the nurse working clothes counter in Tuen Mun Hospital.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 250 nurses who were working in Tuen Mun Hospital participated in this study.
Satisfaction towards the Working Clothes Counter
Table 1 shows nurses’ satisfaction level towards the operation workflow of nurse working clothes and the supply of working clothes. Overall, 80% of respondents were satisfied with the workflow. Nurses welcomed the simplified registration process in counter and agreed that can enhance the service efficiency. For the supply of working clothes, around 60% of nurses were satisfied with the stock availability and the size of working clothes. Some of the respondents indicated that size XS and S of overcoats were running out of stock occasionally.
Table 1: Supply and Workflow of Implementation
User Preference between Working Clothes and Uniforms
Table 2 shows the comparison between nurse working clothes and uniforms on three ways, namely nurses’ preference on working clothes or uniforms, convenience and the distribution and collection arrangement between the two items. Over 80% of nurses agreed or strongly agreed that the distribution and collection arrangement of nurse working clothes was better than nurse uniforms while using working clothes was more convenient that uniform. Over 70% of nurse preferred using nurse working clothes that nurse uniforms, in which 30% of respondents were strongly agree with the change.
Table 2: Nurse Working Clothes vs Uniforms
Advantages for the Implementation of Working Clothes
Table 3 shows that approximately 80% of nurses agreed that infection control could be enhanced by using nurse working clothes. Over one-half of nurses agreed that nurse working clothes could help in the formation of professional identity as well as foster a strong self-image in the hospital.
Table 3: Enhancement of Infection Control and Professional Image
Overall Satisfaction Level
Table 4 shows nurses’ satisfaction level towards the overall implementation of nurse working clothes. Overall, 75% of nurses were satisfied with the implementation of nurse working clothes.
Table 4: Overall Satisfaction Level of Nurse Working Clothes
Conclusion
Based on the results, 75% of participants were satisfied with the implementation of nurse working clothes. Most of them agreed that using working clothes could enhance the convenience and professional identity. A majority of respondents agreed that infection control could be strengthened with the use of working clothes. The result of the survey indicated that the goals of the implementation project could be achieved, while the supply of stock should be reviewed to enhance user’s satisfaction. Based on some individual feedbacks from nurses, the project would be further reviewed for achieving a better synergy effect of counter service in TMH.
