* Total inpatient, day patient discharges and deaths
To cope with aging population and service demand in the community, KCC expanded service capacity by setting up an acute stroke ward with 16 beds and added one ICU bed in QEH. Additional operating theatre sessions were opened to allay the waiting list of emergency surgery and cancer operations in QEH. 24-hour on site consultation and emergency surgical support by specialist was implemented in QEH for neonatal and paediatric surgery. HKEH enhanced eye services for the elderly by providing anti-vascular growth factor treatment for age-related macular degeneration cases and provided specialist eye service for diabetic related eye diseases. Further enhancement of psychiatric services in KH was completed with the psychiatric admission ward setting improved and the community case management service expanded to severe mental illness patients living in the Sai Kung district.
In pursuit of continuous quality improvement and patient safety, BTS increased the production and supply of leucodepleted blood products which enhanced blood transfusion safety and reduced the risk of transfusion reaction. HKEH strengthened the supply of high quality eye tissues and increase the supply of corneas of the Eye Bank. New treatment options and modern technology were adopted in QEH with minimally invasive surgery technique introduced for over 60% hysterectomy surgeries for suitable gynaecological patients. Deep Brain stimulation treatment was provided for nine patients with advanced Parkinson’s diseases. Modernised diagnostic services for cancer patients were introduced by expanding cytogenetic services for blood cancer and predictive molecular testing services for lung, breast and colorectal cancers in QEH.
To sustain and ensure a stable workforce, QEH provided education and training for various healthcare professionals. QEH School of General Nursing completed the intake of 100 student nurses in the third quarter of 2013. Staff development and simulation training programmes developed professionalism of healthcare workers. To relieve pressures of the frontline, additional medical, nursing, allied health professionals and patient care assistants were recruited to meet operational needs at acute settings and high pressure areas. To improve the non-emergency ambulance transfer service and waiting time, additional drivers and attendants were recruited.
KCC strives to maximise quality within limited resources through hospital accreditation and various quality improvement measures (‘WISER’ Movement). To improve supply logistics and workflow, auto-refill of medical consumables and linen items was implemented in QEH and KH. A commissioning team was set up to coordinate the Yaumatei Specialist Clinic re-provisioning project.
QEH celebrated Golden Jubilee in 2013 with a series of programmes to engage staff and the community, including a walkathon cum fun and games day, career fun day and a series of community engagement programmes. A gala dinner was held on 10 September 2013 and a book named QEH – A People’s History was published.
