Authors (including presenting author) :
Chao FW (1), Leung Q (2), Lam YM (2), Kwok WY (1), Leung O (2), Yiu D (1), Li SS (1), Wang KN (1), Kwok LC (1), Lam CC (1), Lee WH (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Community Care Division, New Territories West Cluster
(2) Nursing Services Division, New Territories West Cluster
Introduction :
The global aging population is increasing, resulting in a simultaneous rise in demand for elderly homes. In the New Territories West Cluster (NTWC), there are over 100 Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) located in Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, and Yuen Long districts. As of November 2023, the total capacity of these homes exceeds 10,000 places. Approximately 80 percent of the Community Geriatrics Assessment Service (CGAS) is involved in this endeavor. The residents of RCHE generally require slight to moderate assistance with their mobility. A geriatrician conducts regular on site medical follow-ups and may order investigations such as blood tests for the elderly. Consequently, the demand for blood tests has increased.
Objectives :
1. To establish on-site phlebotomy outreach service support in NTWC RCHEs.
2. To reduce the traveling time for residents to attend the hospital blood taking room.
Methodology :
In June 2023, a snapshot statistic was conducted, revealing a total of 279 and 210 residents in the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long areas, respectively. The nursing staff of the CGAS visit the residents and follow the post-clinic prescription given by a geriatrician. However, locating veins for blood taking in some elderly individuals proves challenging for the CGAS nursing staff, who make their best efforts to obtain blood samples.
In July 2023, in response to the service needs for outreach phlebotomists to provide on-site support in RCHEs, a pilot program for Phlebotomy Outreach Services was launched in the NTWC CGAS. The inclusion criteria and workflow for the service were drafted for comments by the CGAS nurses and Nursing Services Division (NSD). The necessary consumables were prepared for this program. In June, 2023, a briefing session was conducted for the designated phlebotomists, and the pilot program commenced in July 2023. A maximum of two different RCHEs in the Tuen Mun area were visited once per week. CGAS nurses accompanied the phlebotomists to provide outreach blood taking, ensuring accurate resident information and identity verification. The workflow was regularly optimized during the pilot phase.
In August 2023, a review meeting was held to discuss potential improvements and service expansion. The service was extended from the Tuen Mun Area to the Yuen Long area, with an increase in frequency from once per week to four times per week.
Result & Outcome :
From July to December 2023, a total of 477 residents benefited from this project, and it received positive feedback from various stakeholders, including phlebotomists, CGAS nurses, and RCHE staff. Finally, the pilot project will continue to be implemented regularly in the NTWC CGAS.
