Authors (including presenting author) :
Lo CY(1), Fung MY (1), Dr. YAM N (2), Dr Rocha BA(2), Mok YT(1), Law NW(1), Wong TL(1), Hung SK(1), Dr Yuen MYV(1), Dr Lau SK(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital (2) Cardiac Thoracic Surgery Team, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital
Introduction :
To meet with the service commencement of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in HKCH, new integrated perfusion module has to be purchased for the services. HKCH is the first hospital in Hong Kong which has adopted the Heart-lung Cardiopulmonary bypass machine for pediatric open heart surgeries. Traditional learning and setting up of new heart lung machine, was guided by international experts with on-site support. Despite the perfusionists completed full training and assessment of this new equipment, on-site support from overseas expert for the first operation is required. However, this expert could not come to HK from Australia, due to COVID pandemic.
Objectives :
With the aid of the smart technology, a new training method for new equipment was established, which could provide a quality and safe operation with combined advanced technologies.
Methodology :
To overcome such difficulties, we established a team of OT nurses for IT support. With the aid of Google Glasses, iPad, Multiple angles cameras and Real-time communication, OT team rapidly transformed the way we worked, morphing into virtual operation drills, discussing our work and ideas via webinars or video meetings instead of meeting face-to-face. This Perfect teamwork model of Multidisciplinary Approach, relied on the dedicated OT nurse for AV set-up and on-site IT support; Overseas expert provide on-site support to our staff; Multiple screens provide various essential information to all staff. The first pediatric open heart surgery was completed uneventful in HKCH with satisfactory result, on 12 October 2020. Such changes would also be applied to other critical equipment training in HKCH. We plan to use this method for seeking refresh training from overseas expert in the coming future. This all-in-one design allows healthcare team to provide extracorporeal circulation support to patients efficiently and effectively.
Result & Outcome :
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented interruption, not only in our daily lives, but also the healthcare education and training. Since the pandemic of COVID may persist for a long period of time, healthcare education and training is expected to be transformed in the foreseeable future. Application of advanced technology will persist to benefit the coming generations of trainees’ post-pandemic. An innovative healthcare team could spring up a few welcomed surprises under the new norm.
