Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng WY(1), Wong KH(1), Lee HKA(1), Cheung SY(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Stoma and Wound Care, Ambulatory Services, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, (2) Ambulatory Services, Tseung Kwan O Hospital
Introduction :
The stoma and wound care team provides in-patient consultation services in the Tseung Kwan O Hospital. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, on-site consultation in isolation or surveillance wards may lead to cross-infection and excessive use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Hence, the in-patient tele-wound care consultation service has been introduced to ensure proper and timely stoma and wound care specialty management for patients in isolation or surveillance wards.
Objectives :
To minimize cross-infection and reduce the excessive use of PPE while providing specialty wound care service in isolation or surveillance wards during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology :
When a patient with complex stoma and wound care problems was admitted to the isolation or surveillance ward, ward staff informed the wound care team by fax as usual. In the tele-wound care consultation, they uploaded a clinical wound photo in CMS “Patient album” and provided the wound chart to the wound care team. The wound care team assessed the wound by viewing the clinical photo and the information provided in the wound chart. After the assessment, the wound care nurse documented the suggested wound management on CMS. Ward staff could manage the wound according to the regime suggested by the wound care nurse.
Result & Outcome :
We examined the utilization rate and staff satisfaction while using the in-patient tele-wound care consultation service. There were about 7.8% (49 out of 631) in-patient wound consultations (new case) using the tele-wound care consultation service in 2021. An online staff satisfaction survey was conducted in November 2021 by using a Likert scale questionnaire consisting of 13 questions to rate responses modified from telehealth usability questionnaire (TUQ). The overall satisfaction score was 3.88 out of 6. The item in the questionnaire that scored highest was “It is simple to use and easy to understand the Tele wound service”. To conclude, tele-wound care consultation services can minimize staff exposure to infectious diseases. It is also a cost-effective, quick, and easy way to deliver specialty wound care services. We look forward to optimizing and expanding the current tele-care service model to out-patients with transportation difficulties to wound care clinic, such as those living in remote areas or residential care homes.
