Monday, March 30, 2020

Staff at Alexandra Hospital explain urgent need to adapt amid Covid-19

Source Website: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/staff-alexandra-hospital-explain-urgent-need-adapt-amid-covid-19
By Kok Yufeng, The New Paper, 30 March 2020 at 06:00 am


The past two months have been a psychological test for some of the staff members of Alexandra Hospital (AH) as much as a physical one.
PHOTO: The past two months have been a psychological test for some of the staff members of Alexandra Hospital (AH) as much as a physical one.
(From left) Dr Keith Ho, head of Alexandra Hospital's urgent care centre; Ms K. Nitiah, assistant nurse clinician; Dr Louisa Sun, associate consultant of infectious diseases; and Ms Ooi Gaik Bee, senior nurse clinician.
PHOTO: ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL
Picture posted by Kok Yufeng, The New Paper on 30 March 2020 at 06:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oMarcQJoYjxaYWUvzVQ7SftLs-vIcGaPmYGyWvty1soHjHMvBZEkR9eGoqzZecTFnskqwtW2YPtnrQfqju-jvdcFDyFLdwI_iNXIikZXZOA6PJwaN_wOmL95-gCW61dV9GLfMF6Lzw0/s1600/NP_20200330_YFAH30_5561379.jpg
https://www.tnp.sg/sites/default/files/styles/rl780/public/articles/2020/03/30/NP_20200330_YFAH30_5561379.jpg?itok=vv_F_zue
https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/staff-alexandra-hospital-explain-urgent-need-adapt-amid-covid-19


Staff members at Alexandra Hospital explain the urgent need to adapt since the first Covid-19 case

They have been in epidemic-fighting mode since the first Covid-19 case hit Singapore on Jan 23. They have had to set aside fears of infection and have not been able to let their guard down.

From doctors and nurses to housekeepers and facilities management, those entering isolation rooms need to don personal protective equipment (PPE), a process that involves much time and care.

Staff members working in extended screening areas, where patients with respiratory infections or fever of unknown causes are seen, have to endure even more heat stress as they need to put on additional layers of PPE.


They have been in epidemic-fighting mode since the first Covid-19 case hit Singapore on Jan 23.
PHOTO: They have been in epidemic-fighting mode since the first Covid-19 case hit Singapore on Jan 23. They have had to set aside fears of infection and have not been able to let their guard down.
Picture posted by Chris Aung-Thwin, Ottawacitizen on 28 March 2020
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaipVctaMyDW24tkLBlnTRW-vjQCoRxQnaUfJA28gjZH2FtupcaBbMp-McBfkr8rXtVH5FYWxDZPKEs1emtrh2nXYG9zfwKv0muxAMbB7fnRVdgDcPUxUtgwAsTzJkPeRWhM6htad5Yw/s1600/covid-19-3.jpg
https://postmediaottawacitizen2.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/covid-19-3.jpg
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/covid-19-by-this-time-next-week-cases-could-hit-16000-in-ottawa-if-we-dont-do-our-part/


With a new wave of imported cases driving infection numbers up, Dr Keith Ho, head of AH's urgent care centre (UCC), told The New Paper earlier this month that border controls have gone some way towards reassuring front-liners.

AH was already on alert when the first cluster of cases detected in Wuhan were reported at the start of the year, and it was told to open its two isolation wards once the first cases were confirmed here.

At the time, one of the wards was closed and the other was undergoing renovations.

But various teams worked overtime to commission 23 negative pressure rooms within a week. Meanwhile, teams were reshuffled and roles redefined.

Doctors, nurses and other employees not covering the isolation wards pulled extra duties to cover for those dealing with the outbreak, while support staff scaled up their services.


AH was already on alert when the first cluster of cases detected in Wuhan were reported at the start of the year, and it was told to open its two isolation wards once the first cases were confirmed here.
PHOTO: AH was already on alert when the first cluster of cases detected in Wuhan were reported at the start of the year, and it was told to open its two isolation wards once the first cases were confirmed here.
Picture posted by Alexandra Hospital (Facebook)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9KQDB_l9RESuPPsJks8zD3feA_zgJyOcusKQiQq1f34Dz9IJkQTfHcAvHoCtOCrQTF7n7Lm5FORaLg-6sFZQxqkwVYzW2epzXf0YKR7h6nIdqBlAYjtwbgKaMV4WKY7fbTIVfSiT7ik/s1600/90149858_659013614660939_4861020767019597824_o.jpg
https://scontent.fsin9-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/90149858_659013614660939_4861020767019597824_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=6e5ad9&_nc_ohc=ckO3bPuBeEEAX_96Xj9&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin9-2.fna&oh=7d0e0c31514b5023f6a743c7ae8498c8&oe=5EA69728
https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlexandraHospitalSG/posts/


Said Dr Ho: "Everyone was scrambling a bit because we were changing gears. It was not our daily work, but with time, we coalesced into a proper operating framework.

"We were all very apprehensive because this is a novel disease. We needed to be refreshed on the procedures. It is more stressful psychologically than physically."

He recalled a junior doctor who was worried after he did a swab on a patient who tested positive. AH made plans to get a hotel room for him so he could isolate himself from his family.


We were all very apprehensive because this is a novel disease.
PHOTO: "We were all very apprehensive because this is a novel disease. We needed to be refreshed on the procedures. It is more stressful psychologically than physically."
Picture posted by Alexandra Hospital (Facebook) on Sunday, 29 March 2020 at 09:17 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx2i5mpaHRqcQQgRI0XGIbFbcctU4sOVusf2HKyGPUmkvM8fb2bwSOhGSXgBNC-aXaa-gPH5JPPmhbdLlEEzGjomvmsMgOCuDDcKC8OoxtlTVgdryjcPKfjyNAJfdj93iO-wsqqgxsKg/s1600/90608938_6169922853525_5973520148265435136_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin9-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t45.1600-4/cp0/q75/spS444/p552x414/90608938_6169922853525_5973520148265435136_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_sid=67cdda&_nc_ohc=0bjd2ksH-acAX9xbRKZ&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin9-1.fna&oh=3d3213df7ecca58289c5605835dd11bc&oe=5EA70661
https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlexandraHospitalSG/posts/


"We really felt there was a lot of support from the hospital in terms of the fight that we had on the front lines," said Dr Ho.

Dr Louisa Sun, associate consultant of infectious diseases, said hospital staff remain vigilant as changes have been rapid during the outbreak.


Dr Louisa Sun, associate consultant of infectious diseases, said hospital staff remain vigilant as changes have been rapid during the outbreak.
PHOTO: Dr Louisa Sun, associate consultant of infectious diseases, said hospital staff remain vigilant as changes have been rapid during the outbreak.
Picture posted by ayay.co.uk - Periwinkle - Wallpaper Image featuring Michael Whelan Fantasy Art 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0q5Hf8NKo_REzIbccwuVSpuBkGZ7oWd272y90UkmMFh7U86FuaJ7aBUTu2Kz_EoWFCmAvmpMqtqybOwYXX7lw-qSRioQFCxCDgys-THsmKeokNkhL_qJbmMVNkEgqz_UdJE4-N2KRGZQ/s1600/periwinkle.jpg
https://ayay.co.uk/backgrounds/fantasy_art/michael_whelan/periwinkle.jpg
http://ayay.co.uk/background/fantasy_art/michael_whelan/periwinkle/


"This has been a very massive job on our UCC colleagues' part. They're doing a very good job in keeping up with what are the true suspect cases," she said.

Ms K. Nitiah, an assistant nurse clinician at AH's UCC, said: "(It is about being) psychologically prepared to handle Covid-19 patients."

Senior nurse clinician Ooi Gaik Bee added: "Fear is something all of us experience."


Senior nurse clinician Ooi Gaik Bee added: 'Fear is something all of us experience.'
PHOTO: "We really felt there was a lot of support from the hospital in terms of the fight that we had on the front lines," said Dr Ho.
Picture posted by Jasmine Lim on Monday, 30 March 2020 at 09:10 AM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhcEUezO_-1H3pHcw4tg6z6yWf4hTQ8_cO1RfjMtTCkAb_HOuMzcyjEUzgFGZttl6tTadwHcQYeDovv0yFNTUWeZm2KTGnkvQf0xrrK_2BxtBcXlmg9uybqTYEkYXu9a9gR0DO8RSDf4/s1600/tenor.gif
https://media1.tenor.co/images/09637c58e97b8e9e3d92666e6a33fbf8/tenor.gif?itemid=14105969&fbclid=IwAR2zN9pVKJ5KgHI4w_6ZFaAEDZp0pesqtbPgvYIcgPyB0wuCYSjV9eavQVA
https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraHospitalSG/posts/665388634023437?comment_id=665727047322929

By Kok Yufeng, The New Paper, 30 March 2020 at 06:00 am
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now




Other stories
Coronavirus: China marks major milestone with zero domestic infections, posted on Saturday, 21 March 2020
Coronavirus: China marks major milestone with zero domestic infections, posted on Saturday, 21 March 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/03/coronavirus-china-marks-major-milestone.html
 

Japan trip disrupted? View Gardens’ cherry blossom, posted on Thursday, 12 March 2020
Japan trip disrupted? View Gardens’ cherry blossom, posted on Thursday, 12 March 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/03/japan-trip-disrupted-view-gardens.html
 

 Nowadays go zouk need to wear mask.
Women wear surgical masks to party at Zouk, shows that life goes on, posted on Saturday, 07 March 2020

 The difference between the cold and the flu, posted on Friday, 28 February 2020

The difference between the cold and the flu, posted on Friday, 28 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-difference-between-cold-and-flu.html


900 Carousell users join movement to give away free masks and supplies, posted on Friday, 28 February 2020
900 Carousell users join movement to give away free masks and supplies, posted on Friday, 28 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/900-carousell-users-join-movement-to.html


'Nobody knows I work in healthcare': SGH visitor registration staff shares what it's like to work at the frontline, posted on Wednesday, 26 February 2020

'Nobody knows I work in healthcare': SGH visitor registration staff shares what it's like to work at the frontline, posted on Wednesday, 26 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/nobody-knows-i-work-in-healthcare-sgh.html

 
 S-hook lady gets real on how Singaporeans are reacting to coronavirus outbreak, posted on Tuesday, 25 February 2020
S-hook lady gets real on how Singaporeans are reacting to coronavirus outbreak, posted on Tuesday, 25 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/s-hook-lady-gets-real-on-how.html


Lerine Yeo flaunted 'big burden', posted on Sunday, 07 October 2018
Lerine Yeo flaunted 'big burden', posted on Sunday, 07 October 2018
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/lerine-yeo-flaunted-big-burden.html


It started on Sept 21 when someone posted a video of you promoting a top with metal rings as sort of a wearable rack where you can use S-hooks to hang umbrellas, ez-link cards, wanton mee
I'll never eat luncheon meat again thanks to S-hook lady posted on Monday, 01 October 2018
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/ill-never-eat-luncheon-meat-again.html


Singapore's most famous auntie, Liang Ximei, has returned, and this time 'round, she's declaring war on coronavirus.
Singapore's most famous auntie declares war on coronavirus with song, posted on Friday, 21 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/singapores-most-famous-auntie-declares.html
 

So, what do the stories of people shunning our healthcare workers say about us as a country?
Opinion: I have seen nurses abused and it must stop, posted on Saturday, February 15, 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/opinion-i-have-seen-nurses-abused-and.html


Diary of a coronavirus survivor: Wuhan nurse claims she recovered from virus at home, posted on Friday, 14 February 2020
Diary of a coronavirus survivor: Wuhan nurse claims she recovered from virus at home, posted on Friday, 14 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/diary-of-coronavirus-survivor-wuhan.html


Support healthcare workers, don't shun them: Gan Kim Yong, posted on Thursday, 13 February 2020
Support healthcare workers, don't shun them: Gan Kim Yong, posted on Thursday, 13 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/support-healthcare-workers-dont-shun.html


Amidst depressing reports of grocery hoarding and discrimination against healthcare workers, one Singapore dad and his two young daughters are showcasing that kindness still exists.
This made my day: 2 girls deliver comfort food to cheer hospital staff on, posted on Wednesday, 12 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/this-made-my-day-2-girls-deliver.html


Climate, immunity, incompetence? Indonesia's zero recorded coronavirus cases raise questions, posted on Monday, 10 February 2020
Climate, immunity, incompetence? Indonesia's zero recorded coronavirus cases raise questions, posted on Monday, 10 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/climate-immunity-incompetence.html


This made my day: Woman gives out ginger tea with surgical masks – and other kind acts during virus outbreak, posted on Tuesday, 04 February 2020
This made my day: Woman gives out ginger tea with surgical masks – and other kind acts during virus outbreak, posted on Tuesday, 04 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/this-made-my-day-woman-gives-out-ginger.html


'Singapore’s response to virus is testament to resilient society', posted on Monday, 03 February 2020
'Singapore’s response to virus is testament to resilient society', posted on Monday, 03 February 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/singapores-response-to-virus-is.html


Public should use surgical masks, not N95 masks, to guard against Wuhan virus spread: Experts , posted on Wednesday, 29 January 2020
Public should use surgical masks, not N95 masks, to guard against Wuhan virus spread: Experts , posted on Wednesday, 29 January 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/01/public-should-use-surgical-masks-not.html



Reference
[1] Kok Yufeng, The New Paper, Staff at Alexandra Hospital explain urgent need to adapt amid Covid-19, posted on 30 March 2020 at 06:00 am, https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/staff-alexandra-hospital-explain-urgent-need-adapt-amid-covid-19


Links

Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,