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Ophthalmology in the time of COVID-19: experience from Hong Kong Eye Hospital
Stephanie S L Cheung1,2, Cherie Y K Wong1,2, Jason C K Chan1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Insights
Implementing comprehensive infection control measures, including reduced patient services and enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE), successfully minimized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risks in Hong Kong
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Disease Control
- Public Health
Background:
- The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare settings globally.
- Tertiary eye centers require specific infection control strategies to protect patients and staff.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review international infection control guidelines for ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To share practical infection control experiences from a Hong Kong tertiary eye center.
Main Methods:
- Review of international ophthalmological guidelines and local health authority recommendations.
- Implementation of multi-faceted infection control measures by hospital staff.
- Screening of patients for COVID-19 symptoms, fever, and relevant travel/contact history.
Main Results:
- Reduced outpatient attendance and elective surgeries by 40%; reduced general anesthesia procedures by 90%.
- Ensured adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and clear usage guidelines for staff.
- Enhanced environmental control through disinfection, ventilation, and use of disposable instruments.
Conclusions:
- A multi-pronged infection control strategy effectively minimized infection risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Essential ophthalmic services were successfully maintained despite stringent infection control measures.
Aim:
To review international guidelines and to share our infection control experience during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at a tertiary eye centre in Hong Kong.
Methods:
Infection control guidelines and recommendations from international ophthalmological bodies are reviewed and discussed. The measures at our hospital were drawn up as per international and local health authorities' guidelines and implemented with the collaboration of doctors, nurses and administrative staff.
Results:
The aims of our infection control measures are to 1) minimize cross-infection within the hospital; 2) protect and support hospital staff; 3) ensure environmental control. To minimize the risk of cross-infection, outpatient attendance and elective surgery have been reduced by 40%, and general anesthesia procedures were reduced by 90%. Patients entering the hospital are screened for fever, travel history, contact and cluster history, and COVID-19 related symptoms. To protect and support hospital staff, we ensure provision of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and provide clear guidelines on the level of PPE needed, depending on the clinical situation. Other protective measures include provision of work uniforms, easy access to alcohol-based hand rub, opening new lunch areas, implementation of self-monitoring and self-reporting systems, and communication via online education and updates. Finally, environmental control is achieved by ensuring regular disinfection of the hospital premise, enhancing ventilation, and usage of disposable ophthalmic instruments.
Conclusion:
Our multi-pronged approach to infection control is, so far, successful in minimizing infection risks, while allowing the maintenance of essential ophthalmic services.
