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The Hospital Authority (HA) Board meeting today (June 29) discussed and endorsed the agenda item of "HA's preparation for Avian Influenza", in which public hospitals and clinics will implement a new system from 1 July 2006 comprising the "Alert Response Level", "Serious Response Level", and "Emergency Response Level". This will replace the existing three colour-coded (Green / Yellow / Red) Alert System.
The Chairman of HA Central Committee on Infectious Disease (CCID), Dr Liu Shao-haei said that since the implementation of the colour-coded Alert System of HA Response Plan for Infectious Disease Outbreaks two years ago, there have been ongoing reviews to enhance the mechanism to meet operational needs. HA has gained much valuable experience and knowledge in the development of contingent measures.
"Recently, HA, the Centre for Health Protection and the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau have jointly reviewed the existing Alert System. Following in-depth discussions and collation of views from different clinical disciplines, the review was completed. According to the group's recommendation, HA's system should align with the Government's existing three-tier alert mechanism for influenza pandemic, i.e. Alert Response Level, Serious Response Level, and Emergency Response Level. Corresponding contingency measures will be implemented according to the level of response and different scenerio."
"The recommendation was made with the aim to achieve a more consistent and clearer presentation by adopting a standardised risk assessment and alert system for the entire community. The new mechanism will ensure the contingency plan will be implemented with greater efficiency and effectiveness. It will also provide HA with greater flexibility in implementing appropriate contingent measures to cope with the different levels of risk assessment."
Dr Liu said in the past few weeks, HA has already organised a series of staff forum in the seven hospital clusters to explain to hospital staff the proposed new alert mechanism and corresponding measures.
New posters and notices of "Alert Response Level", replacing the existing Yellow Alert posters, will be posted at prominent places at public hospitals to remind the public, patients and visitors of the hospital infection control measures and personal hygiene highlights when the new alert mechanism is put in place on 1 July 2006.
Dr Liu further added, "Upon implementation of the new alert mechanism, HA will activate the Alert Response Level currently activated by the Government. Public hospitals will remain highly vigilant in upholding stringent infection control measures in high risk clinical areas."
Ends/Thursday, June 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:12
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