In order to familiarize and improve collaboration regarding the emergency management of bird flu, a training program was conducted at Hong Kong hospitals.
In order to familiarize and improve collaboration regarding the emergency management of patients with infectious disease, more specifically bird flu, a training program was conducted at two hospitals in Hong Kong. A scenario involving transfer of a suspected case of bird flu from one hospital to the other was simulated.
The Baptist Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth hospital participated in the training program. The Fire Services Department responded immediately to the contingency plan. Ambulance services were activated, and an isolation bed was prepared within a few minutes of call from the hospital.Following the patient’s arrival at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the patient was directly led into the isolation ward by a special escort team, in protective suit to protect against the deadly infection with the H5N1 virus. Nearly 50 medical professionals were involved in the program, which was monitored throughout by officers belonging to the Centre for Health Protection.
The contingency drill deserves the credit of being the first such exercise among the Baptist Hospital and the Fire Services Department. Since the beginning of this year, a number of bird flu cases have been reported in Hong Kong. It is hoped that the above drill would enable better management of bird flu infection, if any.
