Press Releases

Isolation facilities well in place to tackle SARS: SHWF

Isolation facilities are well in place to treat SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) patients should the virus return, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, said today (September 24).

Dr Yeoh visited the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) today to inspect the first batch of 33 new isolation beds ready for use. He was joined by legislators Dr Lo Wing-lok and Mr Michael Mak.

Speaking to the media after the visit, Dr Yeoh noted that 900 purpose-built isolation beds would be completed by the end of next month, and a total of 1 290 beds would be in place towards the end of this year.

"We believe this initial batch of isolation facilities would be sufficient to cope with the first wave of probable SARS cases should the virus come back," he said.

Dr Yeoh also pointed out that providing training programmes on infection control for hospital staff and making sure there would be a sufficient supply of protective gear were equally important in strengthening public hospitals' ability in handling infectious diseases.

He noted the Hospital Authority (HA) had already held 1 800 classes on infection control for its staff. HA will continue with its training programme and endeavour to stock up sufficient protective gear to get prepared on all fronts.

He called on HA's staff to better equip themselves by actively taking part in these training courses and to engage in dialogue with the management to further improve hospital services.

"In doing so we will achieve the dual objective of 'protecting oneself and protecting the patients'," Dr Yeoh added.

In response to media questions, Dr Yeoh reiterated that HA's three-colour response system was intended for internal communication and in fact it formed part of the Government's overall response system on SARS.

Dr Yeoh also said that he would, in discussion with HA, ensure the public and everyone concerned receive a clear message of the totality and consistency of the response system on SARS.

On communication with the private sector, Dr Yeoh said the Government had started discussing the communication channels with private medical practitioners and how the health authorities could collaborate with the private sector if SARS emerged again.

"We are also working with the private hospitals association to look at issues in terms of how they will develop their outbreak control plans and how we will interact with the private hospitals should there be an outbreak," he added.

According to HA's cohorting strategy for SARS patients, hospitals would be mobilised in stages to receive confirmed SARS patients. The number of confirmed cases in any hospital could not exceed the limit of 50 to avoid causing major disruption to existing services. The number could be increased to 100 for a major outbreak.

PMH, as the designated infectious disease centre of the territory, will be the first hospital to receive confirmed SARS patients if the epidemic returns. The completion of the first 33 beds and a total of 200 beds by the end of this year will greatly enhance the hospital's existing isolation facilities.

Improvement works is being carried out in nine public acute hospitals at a total cost of $409 million to enhance the infection control facilities in the public hospital system for handling SARS patients. HA will also carry out minor improvement works in the remaining five acute public hospitals to provide additional isolation facilities.

In designing the isolation facilities, reference has been made to international standards to ensure that appropriate infection control provisions are incorporated.
The isolation rooms will have the following features: negative pressure gradient in patient rooms, provision of 100 per cent fresh air supply, dilution of bio-load in sufficient air change rates, installation of high efficiency particulate air filters to filter out droplets and aerosols, provision of en-suite toilet/shower facilities in ward cubicles, and provision of infection control facilities for hospital staff, such as gowning/de-gowning areas, changing rooms, shower facilities and clinical wash-hand basins.

Also present at today's inspection were Chairman of Hospital Authority, Dr Leong Che-hung; Chief Executive, Dr William Ho; Cluster Chief Executive (Kowloon), Dr Lily Chiu; and chairman and members of Princess Margaret Hospital Governing Committee.

End/Wednesday, September 24, 2003
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