Type of Intervention: Advisory, Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Health
Level of Jurisdiction: Special Administrative Region
Lead People/Agency: The Hospital Authority
Overview: The Hospital Authority convened the Central Command Committee meeting today (8 Jan) and decided to further enhance the surveillance and infection control measures in public hospitals, amid exploring the feasibility of deferring some non-emergency services so as to centralise resources and manpower to cope with the suspected cases related to the viral pneumonia with unknown cause in Wuhan, and try to allay the pressure of frontline healthcare workers as far as possible.
The following enhanced measures have been implemented with immediate effect:
Enhance the HA laboratory service. The rapid test result can be available as early as before 24 hours so as to confirm whether the patients are infected with infectious diseases and to discharge patients without isolation need to
other wards for further treatment;
Adjust ventilation system to increase fresh air exchange in public hospitals and clinics so as to enhance air flow and to reduce the risk of spreading virus;
Transfer stable patient to rehabilitation or convalescence wards, and in accordance to the agreement with two private hospitals to transfer out patients for continuous treatment in order to vacate acute beds to meet emergency
need;
Depending on the situation, HA will explore the feasibility to defer the elective surgeries and non-emergency services.
Full details here: https://www.ha.org.hk/haho/ho/pad/200108Eng34.pdf
Other links: 1
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – government
Evidence/Justification: The activation of Serious Response Level in Hong Kong