Authors (including presenting author) :
Lee H Y, Wong C H, Chan S K, Yip S M, Wong M C
Affiliation :
Department of Clinical Oncology, Tin Shui Wai Hospital
Introduction :
Tin Shui Wai Hospital (TSWH) is one of the “Smart hospital” in HA strategy plan. It is one of the most important development strategies of HA in the future. The vision and objective of smart hospital in TSWH is to improve patient’s satisfaction and experience by integration and application of technologies into our daily clinical operation work (Hospital Authority, 2017). It includes a variety of innovative projects integrating into our busy workflow. It aims at not only to optimize patient’s care quality or minimize health care staff workload but also to provide an environmentally friendly (paperless ward) working environment.
Objectives :
Carbon emission is a hot topic globally and recently. Different stake holders are putting their best efforts to reduce carbon emission and hence slow down the rate of global warming to save our next generation (UNEP, 2020). In light of that, smart team in 5A ward has bought up a bottom up idea which promote the idea of “paperless ward”. “Paperless ward” plays a significant role in making our wards smart. Papers and forms will change into digital making the clinical setting environment friendly, at the same time lower the risks of losing and misplacement hence reduce administrative workload (Hospital Authority, 2017).
Through smart hospital initiatives, we always look forward to keep pace with the times to an environmental friendly working environment and hence taking the corporate social responsibility (The government of HKSAR, 2020)
Methodology :
A smart card with QR code is stick at the corner of patient’s bedside table. The card consists of four QR codes which link to ward information documents:
1. Notice to patients and visitors (both Chinese and English version)
2. Patient’s charter (Chinese version)
3. 5A ward routine (Chinese version)
The main objective is to promote paperless ward (environmental friendly). The smart card serves as a self-help station that patients can scan the 2D barcode themselves to look for the information need so as to optimize our holistic care and patient’s in-patient journey. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also advised that relatives can scan the QR code during visiting hours so they know more about 5A ward routine and thus minimize enquiries related to ward daily operation. It also serves as the purpose of promoting use technology to both nursing staff and patient which lead to better communication in long run.
Result & Outcome :
A five-question survey was performed in google form in ward. All nursing staff (32) are invited for the survey and a total of 32 replies are received. 96.9% of the respondents comment “very agree” or “agree” that the smart tips QR code can promote a paperless ward. The remaining 3.1% (1 respondents) show concern that paper form will be better for cognitive impairment patient and paper form document still has its value
96.9% of the respondents show “very agree” or “agree” that the 2D barcode is easy to scan, precise and user friendly. The remaining 3.1% (1 respondents) show concern on parkinsonism patient who suffer tremor and suggest larger QR code.
100% of the respondents show “very agree” or “agree” that the smart tips QR code can promote the use of technology and optimize the services among patient and relative.
