Authors (including presenting author) :
Yuen MSY (1), Yan WW (2), Mak HM (1), Suen HK (1), Lam CY (1(), Ching CH (1), Chan YYG (2), Wong W (2), Mok FS (1), Chan LW (1), Kwok FY (1), Siu YC (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Accident and Emergency, (2) Department of Intensive Care, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Introduction: Hyperbaric Nursing Courses are designed to prepare nurses with theory and practice of Hyperbaric Nursing and Medicine. For years, connection was made with Alfred Hospital and La Trobe University in tailor-making Hyperbaric Nurse Attendant, Chamber Operations and Hyperbaric Physician Courses for colleagues of Accident and Emergency (A&E) and Intensive Care Department (ICU) of PYNEH, to prepare them to work at Hyperbaric Chamber. Things changed because of COVID pandemic, the courses were suspended and overseas training were not possible. Moreover, there was brain drain in the field. In addressing the service and manpower needs, Hyperbaric Nursing Courses were developed in Hong Kong in 2020.
Objectives :
Objective: To report on development and implementation of Hyperbaric Nursing Courses in PYNEH
Methodology :
Method: With reference to the training curriculum of Alfred Hospital and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) on Hyperbaric Nursing and Medicine, rules and regulations of Labour Department and Diving Division of Fire Services Department, input of Advisor and Bio-engineer of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment Centre (HBOTC), concern of infection control measures of Hospital Authority (HA), format of outcome-based training of IANS, the Hyperbaric Nurse Attendant and Chamber Operations Courses were written in July 2020, which consisted of 44 hours of lectures and 132 hours of Clinical Practicum. To prepare for implementation, governance of the courses was established. Hospital Management Support was obtained, Program Development and Review Committee (PDRC) was formed, Occupational Health Clinic was connected and health checks for Hyperbaric Attendant course applicants were arranged, HKEC Training Centre was booked and logistics were arranged, IT Team was connected and zoom was arranged, Potential Hyperbaric Nursing colleagues were invited and trained as Course Coordinators, Speakers were selected by PDRC. Opinions were sought from specialists in the field and barriers to implementation were overcome by PDRC. Colleagues of A&E and ICU were invited to the courses.
Result & Outcome :
Results: The courses attracted not only nurses but also physicians. To meet the manpower needs, three courses were organized in a year. There were 6 courses organized from October 2020 to December 2022, in which 32 Nurses and 12 Physicians received training of Hyperbaric Attendant, 18 nurses and 12 Physicians received training of Chamber Operations. Course and practicum evaluations were regarded acceptable and practical from students’ surveys. Upon completion, 23 nurses and 6 Physicians of A&E joined the workforce at HBOTC. Conclusion: Through development of Hyperbaric Nursing Courses, the implementation measures were feasible and resulted in significant improvement in manpower of Hyperbaric Nurse Attendants and Chamber Operators to meet the service and manpower needs of HBOTC in PYNEH in 2022.
