Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong WH (1), Ho OM (1), Lau KY (2), Leung KH (3)
Affiliation :
(1) Training and Development (T&D), Central Nursing Division; (2) Accident and Emergency Department; (3) Medicine and Geriatrics Department, Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)
Introduction :
Since outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, it generated a great pressure on public health care system as most of the COVID-19 patients were admitted to public hospital. Nurses were deployed to Infectious Disease (ID) wards to support the service surge need but over 90% of nurses in PMH were without specialty training on either intensive care or infectious disease. It also imposed a new challenge which ever-changing infection control (IC) measures should be enlightened. T&D Team had the mission to train up competent manpower to meet the service need.
Objectives :
To equip nurses with knowledge and skills (K&S) in managing COVID-19 patients with below focus:
1: Intubation and ventilator care
2: Enhance latest IC practice in each procedure
3: Enhance safe transportation for critically-ill patient
4: Prepare nurses for the coming wave of COVID-19 outbreak
Methodology :
1. Lectures covering knowledge in ventilator care and safe transportation for critically ill COVID-19 patient and specific IC.
2. Simulation training with three scenarios. First, intubation and post-intubation care. Second, trouble shooting for problems encountered patients on ventilator was reinforced. Third, transportation for critically ill COVID-19 patients on ventilator was practiced with emergency situation management skills included. IC measures in each procedure were reinforced. Debriefing was paramount important to ensure their skills were up to standard.
Result & Outcome :
1. Over 200 nurses were trained up since November, 2020 who were deployed to care COVID-19 patient in ID wards.
2. 100% participants agreed that workshop enhanced their specific IC measures during intubation and transportation of COVID-19 patient.
3. 100% participants agreed the workshop enhanced ability of trouble shooting of ventilator alarms and handling of emergency situation during transportation of COVID-19 patient.
4. 100% participants agreed that their capability in taking care of COVID-19 patients were enhanced.
5. 100% participants agreed the workshop was practicable and could meet learning objectives.
A pool of competent nurses was trained and ready for deployment to ID wards to combat the COVID-19 pandemic who became trainers of own departments. They were equipped with K&S of specific IC measures in caring COVID-19 patient who required ventilator support and inter-hospital transfer.
