Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong PY (1), Yuen KH (1), Young HKB (1), Tsang WTA (5), Yuen SY (2), Pun KL (2), Ng HKM (3), Chan YYR (4), Siu SY (5), Chan P (3)
Affiliation :
(1) Quality and Safety Office, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
(2) Nursing Services Division, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
(3) Administrative ServiceS Division, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
(4) Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
(5) Department of Ophthalmology, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Implementing an optimal response to power interruption in a hospital setting is critical for ensuring patient and staff safety. This project aims to establish mechanism to enhance staff’s understanding and compliance to hospital’s response plan, in addition to ensure life-saving equipment are connected to essential power during interruption.
Objectives :
Objectives:
-To review and update hospital response plan on power interruption
-To establish mechanism for staff responding to power interruption
-To identify life-saving equipment that require connection to essential power socket
-To enhance staff’s competence through serial training activities and materials
Methodology :
Methodology:
A Task Force Team was formed to review recent power interruption incident in hospital.
Actions:
1)Site visits were conducted to observe the departmental measures, and an Incident Investigation Report was prepared to find out root cause for improvement.
2)Clinical Tips on the Essential Power (緊急電源 - 小貼士) and Quick Guide of Contingency Response to Power Shortage for Nursing Team was developed as outlining immediate actions staff should take during power interruption.
3)Life-supporting and critical equipment requiring essential power was identified. Special label with color coding and alert message were designed to safeguard connection to essential power socket.
4)Related guidelines and essential information were distributed to departments. Individual department was suggested to develop local response kit to fit their local needs.
5)Essential Guide on Contingency Plan to Hospital Facilities Emergency Situation ( 一圖看清醫院設施緊急狀況應對重點 ) was developed to guide staff step-by-step action.
6)As a preventive measure, Energy saving campaign was conducted to enhance the awareness on prudent use of electricity, including air-conditioning in summer.
7)Staff forum was held and followed by a simulation power interruption drill to let all staff learn and practice
Result & Outcome :
Results and Outcomes:
The serial initiatives increased staff awareness on handling essential power requirement, and response to power interruption. Regular ward safety rounds by top management were conducted to evaluate the compliance with standards. Since the occasion of power interruption was relatively rare to happen, annual refresher training and drill would be arranged to ensure the standard of staff’s knowledge and skills.
