Letters | Three ways Hong Kong public hospitals can handle Covid-19 cases better
- Readers discuss public hospital policies for Covid-19 cases, the potential for telehealth services in Hong Kong, and the ESF fee hike
My husband was infected with Omicron during the peak of the fifth wave of Covid-19. Fortunately, he was admitted to an isolation ward under Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals within an hour. We are thankful for the efficiency of the hospital’s emergency ward, and the professionalism of the medical team who exhausted many options in treating him.
However, there are some aspects of my husband’s experience that call for attention. We hope the government will take into account our feedback to improve the handling of patients during pandemics.
First, the lack of toilet facilities inside the isolation ward was a nuisance and source of frustration to both patients and staff. Toilets were located outside the ward, which patients were not allowed to leave. They were offered diapers or a bucket with wipes to cope with the call of nature.
For the aged, not so mobile or the seriously infected, this may have been less annoying. But for patients such as my husband, who are capable of moving around, it was a serious discomfort. In fact, many patients could not use the bucket smoothly, which resulted in dirty messes everywhere. I can imagine the cleaners’ horror, not to mention the smell and hygiene impact on everyone in the ward.
We understand that many isolation wards were quickly set up to cope with the sudden surge in infections. However, in future planning, toilet facilities must be made available in isolation wards.
Second, the space between beds inside isolation wards was barely adequate. Patients were not allowed to move around their beds. Once, when my husband was stretching his legs at his bedside, he was asked to stay in bed.
Why are patients forbidden from even minimal exercise? My husband’s muscles became seriously stiff after an eight-day stint in the isolation ward. It was upsetting to see his bedsores after he was discharged. The government should review this arrangement across all public hospitals as patients’ well-being is conducive to recovery.
We sincerely hope the authorities could improve when formulating epidemic control strategies.
O.L. Kam, North Point
Telehealth holds promise if accessible to all
These platforms enable patients to consult a healthcare professional without leaving their homes, saving precious time and money spent on travelling and removing the need to wait around in hospitals and clinics. Telehealth has made the process of seeking medical treatment more convenient. This can motivate people to seek timely and appropriate medical attention.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hospital Authority expanded the use of telehealth consultation services, extending them to psychiatric patients or those requiring follow-up consultations. Some private hospitals and clinics have also started offering these services. This not only addresses the needs of patients but also reduces the risk of infection when visiting hospitals or clinics.
Moreover, the development of telehealth helps medical institutions make the best use of medical resources. Nowadays, general health literacy has improved and most people know how to measure their own body temperature and blood pressure. Patients entering their personal information through the internet and waiting for a diagnosis at home helps reduce nurses’ administrative work, allowing them more time to take care of other patients in need.
Having said all that, will the development of telehealth in Hong Kong bring about all-round medical protection?
This mode of consultation might hinder doctors from learning some details of patients’ conditions, especially if patients have poor verbal expression, thus increasing the risk of misdiagnosis.
The convenience of online consultations may encourage patients to consult multiple doctors via telehealth at the same time. The resulting fragmentation of services may also affect doctors’ ability to make an accurate diagnosis.
Furthermore, telehealth is not as accessible to the elderly and those from grass-roots families. There has always been a digital divide in Hong Kong and families from grass-roots communities generally lack sufficient equipment, good-quality cameras and sufficient internet speed, which may hinder telehealth consultations.
Adrian Lam, Tai Koo
Why parents shouldn’t complain about ESF fee hike
Rishi Teckchandani, Mid-Levels
