Stroke patients’ clinical data sent via HA Chat with just one click in CMS
The stroke call activation system is a critical component of the ‘Green Channel’. Once stroke nurses input clinical data into the Clinical Management System (CMS), the information is automatically transmitted to the multidisciplinary team via HA Chat. This automation streamlines the workflow and significantly shortens the time required to save lives.
Dr Chi Man-sum, QMH’s Associate Consultant in the Department of Medicine, notes that the system has greatly improved efficiency. "In the past, when a suspected acute stroke patient arrived at the A&E, the doctor would diagnose them and inform the stroke nurse, who would then contact the neurologist. If an intervention was required, the nurse had to call the radiology and neurosurgery teams individually. This meant the stroke nurse spent a lot of time on the phone repeating patient information to different departments." He adds that with the new system, stroke nurses can focus more on clinical assessments, such as recording medical history and onset time, allowing the entire team to grasp the patient’s condition instantly.
Dr Chris Tsang, Chief Manager (Integrated Clinical Services) of the Hospital Authority (HA), explains that various hospitals had previously developed their own notification systems in accordance with their workflows. Taking ideas from the systems developed by hospitals, the HA Head Office has launched a stroke call activation system. The goal is to standardise the system and apply it across hospitals in an orderly manner for the benefits of patients.
Following a pilot programme at QMH, the HA will progressively roll out the system to the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) and Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) starting from the first quarter of 2026. This complements the Pre-hospital Stroke Diversion Scheme recently announced by the HA and the Fire Services Department. Under this scheme, patients in the New Territories East and West clusters suspected of having large vessel occlusions will be sent directly to designated hospitals. Patients in Sha Tin, Tai Po, and the North District will go directly to PWH, while those in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long will go to TMH, securing the golden hour for patients.
When A&E nurses receive a pre-hospital notification from ambulanceman regarding a suspected stroke patient arriving soon, they input the data into the CMS. This allows the stroke team to arrange examinations and treatment in advance.
2. Patient Assessment
Upon arrival, the stroke nurse assesses the patient and inputs clinical data, such as blood pressure, limb weakness and severity, into the CMS via a tablet.
3. Automatic Transmission
The CMS is linked to the HA's acute stroke proforma. Clinical data will be sent to a dedicated HA Chat group with one click. All relevant colleagues, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and stroke nurses will receive the message simultaneously. Colleagues can also configure the setting so that notifications are only sent to those who are currently on duty.
Dr Chi Man-sum, QMH’s Associate Consultant in the Department of Medicine, notes that the system has greatly improved efficiency. "In the past, when a suspected acute stroke patient arrived at the A&E, the doctor would diagnose them and inform the stroke nurse, who would then contact the neurologist. If an intervention was required, the nurse had to call the radiology and neurosurgery teams individually. This meant the stroke nurse spent a lot of time on the phone repeating patient information to different departments." He adds that with the new system, stroke nurses can focus more on clinical assessments, such as recording medical history and onset time, allowing the entire team to grasp the patient’s condition instantly.
Dr Chris Tsang, Chief Manager (Integrated Clinical Services) of the Hospital Authority (HA), explains that various hospitals had previously developed their own notification systems in accordance with their workflows. Taking ideas from the systems developed by hospitals, the HA Head Office has launched a stroke call activation system. The goal is to standardise the system and apply it across hospitals in an orderly manner for the benefits of patients.
Following a pilot programme at QMH, the HA will progressively roll out the system to the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) and Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) starting from the first quarter of 2026. This complements the Pre-hospital Stroke Diversion Scheme recently announced by the HA and the Fire Services Department. Under this scheme, patients in the New Territories East and West clusters suspected of having large vessel occlusions will be sent directly to designated hospitals. Patients in Sha Tin, Tai Po, and the North District will go directly to PWH, while those in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long will go to TMH, securing the golden hour for patients.
How the stroke call activation system works
1. Pre-Hospital NotificationWhen A&E nurses receive a pre-hospital notification from ambulanceman regarding a suspected stroke patient arriving soon, they input the data into the CMS. This allows the stroke team to arrange examinations and treatment in advance.
2. Patient AssessmentUpon arrival, the stroke nurse assesses the patient and inputs clinical data, such as blood pressure, limb weakness and severity, into the CMS via a tablet.
3. Automatic TransmissionThe CMS is linked to the HA's acute stroke proforma. Clinical data will be sent to a dedicated HA Chat group with one click. All relevant colleagues, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and stroke nurses will receive the message simultaneously. Colleagues can also configure the setting so that notifications are only sent to those who are currently on duty.