Hong Kong Baptist Hospital earned two trophies at the Healthcare Asia Awards

Its accelerated response to COVID -19 was recognised as it supported both their patients and frontline staff.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many unprecedented challenges to all countries. In Hong Kong particularly, the government faced immense pressure in formulating and introducing new measures to protect citizens, whilst local hospitals are pushed to maintain quality healthcare service for people amidst the adversity. 

Hong Kong Baptist Hospital (HKBH), being one of the 13 local private hospitals, is committed to protecting Hong Kong citizens, as well as their staff, patients, and hospitals in the fight against COVID-19. Together with the effective clinical infection control measures, the hospital has achieved Zero Hospital acquired infection of COVID-19 in 2020 up to date.

Because of this, the hospital was acknowledged at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2020 with the Covid Management Initiative of the Year - Hong Kong and Hospital of the Year - Hong Kong wins.

The hospital implemented various measures to support clinical frontline staff such as setting up a Surgical Mask Production Line in June 2020. Up until now, it is the only hospital in Hong Kong with its own surgical mask production line. 

HKBH’s Centralized Sterilized Supplies Department also made use of the accredited cleanroom (ISO 13485 and ISO 14611-1 Class 8 standards) to successfully set up the production line in just 3 months’ time with the equipment installation and first production in June and acquiring ASTM Level 2 Accreditation in August. 

The project is successful in terms of cost which is relatively lower than market price and its quality which is further upgraded to Level 3 in February 2021. It also provided a platform for staff engagement and most importantly, secured supply of this essential personal protective equipment.

To take care of staff, a physical set up made of partition boards was made to segregate users at the canteen. Work from home was adopted for supporting staff, and some administrative services closed and had their staff deployed in other administrative departments in need of extra support. The hospital started the use of intelligent Disinfection Robot in May 2020 for environmental cleansing and disinfection. The robot uses UV-C light and disinfection chemicals for thorough disinfection.

Meanwhile, with regard to patients, a designated COVID-19 Testing Centre was set up in the covered car park area within a week. An on-line booking system for COVID-19 test was designed and launched. Restricted hospital entrance for access control with installation of infra-red temperature monitoring systems was set up overnight. 

For contact tracing, a central triage station with temperature checking has been set up whilst a LeaveHomesafe QR code of the government is also used( in the canteen and eating area) to track users in case there is a need. 

Apart from this, HKBH further implemented other COVID-19 administrative measures such as using video conference and online applications for meetings and communication, installation of alcohol hand rub dispensers at all common areas and lift lobbies, as well as changing items to disposable type to avoid cross-contamination, e.g. handcuff for BP monitoring, eye shields, cups, etc. 

Hear from the hospital's chief executive officer, Dr. Alex Yu, and general manager, Grace Wong as they give us insights on the hospital's commitment to fight against the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic as they support and protect the health and welfare of their patients and clinical frontline staff.