Authors (including presenting author) :
HUNG P (1), CHAN J, (1) TAM L (1), Chung A (1), CHAN G (1), LAM J (1), LAU L (2), CHAN E (2), YAU J (2), LAM S (2), KWOK WY (5), CHAN C (6), WONG K (4), To R (3), HAU LM (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Quality & Safety Division, NTWC
(2) Administrative Services Department
(3) Physiotherapy Department, POH
(4) Nursing Services Division, NTWC
(5) Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, POH
(6) Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, TSWH
Introduction :
The transportation of deceased patients to the hospital mortuary is the last but critical part of the patient journey. At Pok Oi Hospital and Tin Shui Wai Hospital, outsourced portering staff assist in transferring deceased patients from their beds to body carts and subsequently to hospital mortuary. Previously, training was conducted by senior porters through return demonstrations. Proper handling and transfer of deceased bodies by portering staff are essential for ensuring staff safety while maintaining respect for deceased patients and their families throughout this process.
Objectives :
To enhance the knowledge and skills of portering staff in transferring deceased bodies from the ward to the mortuary, thereby reducing the risk of mishandling and injury to both the deceased body and the porter staff during the transfer process.
Methodology :
A working group was formed with representatives from multiple departments to outline the important steps for deceased body transfer. A comprehensive training video was produced for portering staff, detailing the proper workflow and procedures for deceased body transfers in hospital settings. The video covers several key points, including appropriate attitudes and interactions with relatives, proper techniques for transferring of the body from patient bed to a cart, and procedures for delivering the body to the mortuary. With the input from Physiotherapy Department, the video showcased the correct posturing and lifting techniques for securely transferring bodies.
Result & Outcome :
Initial feedbacks from stakeholders indicates a positive response to the training video, suggesting improvement in procedural adherence and potential reductions in workplace injuries. The video will become mandatory training for all portering staff handling deceased body transfers in January 2025. A pre-and-post quiz conducted showed enhanced knowledge among portering staff after watching the training video. Additionally, a hands-on train-the-trainer workshop is scheduled for February 2025 to further enhance skills in body transfer.
