Most Proposed Topic :
HA Young Investigators Session (projects to be presented by and HA staff who had joined HA for less than 15 years)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service II (Projects aiming to enhance clinical safety and outcomes, clinical governance / risk management)
Authors: (including presenting author): :
Kwok KL(1), Leung KWC(1), Fung SS(1), Wan HY(1), Wong LY(1)
Affiliation: :
(1)Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction: :
Patients in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CTS ICU) often require various medical devices to maintain stable haemodynamics. In view of increasing demand of using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as imaging modality for our patients, special attention should be paid. Magnetic resonance system creates powerful magnetic field, causing metals to move abruptly, as destructive as bullet shots. This definitely poses potential risk to patients and staff. Therefore, great care should be taken to ensure incompatible objects are not brought into theatre. Thus, it is crucial to address MRI safety and develop a streamlined workflow for patients requiring MRI examination.
Objectives: :
- To ensure patient and staff safety during MRI examination and facilitate staff’s understandings on MRI safety
- To maintain adequate haemodynamic support, ongoing monitoring and care for patient with MRI compatible devices during MRI examination
- To develop a streamlined MRI transportation workflow
Methodology: :
Two site visits of MRI Department were conducted in June 2023. To maintain future effective communication, detailed workflow and arrangement were discussed with staff in MRI Department. A streamlined transportation workflow was established in August 2023. Educational lectures on workflow were then conducted to nursing staff with small groups teaching and learning approach, to facilitate understanding and experience sharing. Effectiveness of workflow was evaluated by questionnaire distributed to staff.
Result & Outcome: :
After conducting lectures on the workflow, 5-Point Scale was adopted for evaluation, with 1 as the lowest and 5 as the highest. Among all participants (n=50), 82% of staff rated 4 and 5 out of 5 scores for confidence level gained in transporting patients for MRI examination. In the degree of agreement, 92% of staff rated 4 and 5, agreeing that workflow ensured patient and staff safety and facilitated their understandings. 96% of staff rated 4 and 5, agreeing that workflow helped in patient preparation. 94% of staff found the workflow was user-friendly, useful, easy to understand and applicable to clinical practice.
The workflow could ensure staff and patient safety, also facilitate staff’s understandings, as to enhance effective and safe transportation. Staff also gained confidence in transporting patient safely and maintaining adequate haemodynamic support, ongoing monitoring and care for patient during MRI examination by following the workflow.
