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Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Hong Kong Baptist Hospital (HKBH) and Fire Services Department (FSD) jointly conducted a contingency drill this morning (25 March) to reinforce the collaboration and familiarise staff with the contingency measures in emergency transfer of patients with infectious disease.
The drill conducted this morning simulated a scenario where a suspected Avian Flu patient at HKBH had to be transferred to QEH for isolation treatment. The contingency plan was activated by HKBH, both FSD and QEH immediately responded for transfer arrangement including arranging ambulance service and preparing the designated isolation bed. Upon the patient¡¦s arrival, QEH escort team in full gear of personal protective equipment led the ambulance crew with the patient directly to the isolation ward via the designated route. About 50 staff members from QEH, HKBH and ambulance service participated in the drill. Moreover, representatives of the Centre for Health Protection also joined the drill as observers.
The exercise was smoothly conducted and all patient services remained normal. A debriefing session had been held after the drill to review the communication flow and the response plan among the hospitals, and identify areas for further improvement in the contingency plan.
Being one of the regular contingency drills of QEH to evaluate the hospital response in emergency situations, it was also the first exercise among QEH, HKBH and FSD to assess the response capability of both hospitals in emergency transfer of patients with infectious disease.
Ends/Saturday, March 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:28
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