Page 121 - HA Convention 2015

Service Priorities and Programmes Free Papers

SPP3.4 Clinical Safety and Quality Service I 14:30 Room 221

Simple Idea Big Change – “Half Length Curtain” Monday, 18 May
Chan YSP, Tang SL, Lai MT, Law KC
Cardiac and Intensive Care Unit, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals, Hong Kong

Introduction

Patient curtains, hanged from a fixed rail of 8.5 feet above the ground, are changed weekly and whenever an infectious
patient is discharged. Each time when the curtain is changed, a healthcare worker needs to stand on a six-feet ladder for 10
to 20 minutes. This is indeed a risk of fall from height. Moreover, it is a manpower consuming procedure since a second staff
is required to safeguard the staff from falling by holding the ladder.

Objectives

To reengineer the curtain design so as to minimise work hazard associated with curtain changing in the Cardiac and Intensive
Care Unit.

Methodology

(1) Plan: A brainstorm meeting is held among nursing and healthcare staff. After discussion, a proposal of adjusting curtain
length, enabling staff to change the curtain while standing on or near ground level is accepted. The infection precaution
measure guideline is reviewed to determine the required height of curtain. (2) Do: Through collaborating with the linen
department, an “easy button” curtain named “Half Length” curtain（半身裙）is designed. It consists of the upper and lower
part, interconnecting by row of buttons. Selection of button and curtain textiles is crucial. The textiles need to endure heavy
laundry and high temperature, conform to fire and infection precaution but not too heavy. (3) Check: The detachable lower
part of “Half Length” curtain（半身裙）can be changed frequently at ease. The upper part of curtain attached to the rail is to
be changed every four months. (4) Act: New one to two steps ladder is purchased for staff to change the detachable lower
part. Staff training on this matter is carried out.

Results

(1) Sharply reduces the frequency of using high ladder from 52 times to six times. (2) Minimises potential injury-on-duty of fall
from height: The new curtain greatly minimises the chance of fall and reduces the degree of injury. (3) Saves manpower: One
worker is needed instead of two in curtain changing task. (4) Positive staff survey: Staff review survey on this modification
work is positive with high acceptance.

HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2015

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