Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service II (Projects aiming to enhance clinical safety and outcomes, clinical governance / risk management)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong KW(1)(2), Pun KL(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Nursing Services Division, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (2) Quality and Safety Office, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
The occurrence of patient missing incidents in hospitals can cause serious consequences to patients and healthcare professionals, hence compromising patient safety and healthcare quality. In order to address this issue proactively, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (TWEH) had reviewed the existing guideline and formulated a comprehensive strategy to prevent and respond to patient missing incidents.
Objectives :
1. To enhance patient safety and increase the awareness of the risk of patient missing among all staff in TWEH
2. To familiarize immediate response and the management of patient missing incidents
3. To reduce patient missing incidents in future
Methodology :
A review of established guidelines and current practices related to patient missing incidents was planned. Next, a multidisciplinary briefing was prepared to facilitate collaboration among healthcare professionals from various departments. The briefing served as a platform for sharing knowledge, voicing out concerns and potential vulnerabilities from different perspective. Finally, a patient missing drill, which simulated a realistic scenario of a patient found missing within the hospital premises. This drill provided an opportunity for staff to practice their roles and familiarize their responsibilities in a controlled environment.
Result & Outcome :
The Guideline on the Management of Missing Patients was reviewed. And the finalized guideline was promulgated to staff and uploaded to the hospital website for reference. Staff from various department, such as, medical, nursing, hospital administration, foreman and security attended the briefing of the management of missing patients. Video and presentation file of briefing were uploaded onto the intranet for all staff to revise. In the patient missing drill, a local scene search was done in ward and in whole hospital premises afterward. Finally, a debriefing was given to participants to arise their awareness and remind the importance of patient missing management. The number of patient missing rate was remained zero in the last financial year.
By reviewing current guidelines, conducting a multidisciplinary team briefing, and organizing a patient missing drill, the preparedness and response capabilities for such critical incidents of TWEH was enhanced. These measures can proactively reduce the risk of patient missing incidents, improve patient safety, and minimize the potential harm to patients, hence ensuring the well-being of every patient.
