HKCH admits COVID-19 patients from different districts according to their clinical needs. We also extend our efforts to safeguard the health of the community.

Saving critical children

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit admits critical COVID-19 patients from HKCH specialties and other hospitals. The virus either directly leads to organ failure in some patients, or triggers deterioration of their chronic illness. They require intensive support and intervention by medications and machines. Others suffer from multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a serious post-COVID complication.

Dr Ku Shu-wing, consultant in the PICU said, "To reduce infection risks, we have developed specific guidelines on resuscitation, equipment use and patient transfer. Situations evolve rapidly, so we stay in touch with experts and keep abreast of new treatment protocols."

At the peak of community outbreak, PICU members fell sick one after another. Said Dr Ku, "To make up for the lost manpower, some colleagues volunteered to work more shifts, and some stayed for days to take care of confirmed cases. We worked like a football team to keep our service afloat."

▲The Mainland COVID-19 medical expert delegation (left) exchanges with the HKCH clinical team about the management of critical patients.

Serving in the community

HKCH staff have also served in the Hong Kong Infection Control Centre (HKICC) and the Community Treatment Facility at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE). Dr Grace Tong, Resident Specialist in the Haematology & Oncology team was the first paediatrician in HKICC. "The centre used to admit adults only. With the help of seniors and colleagues, I set up the first paediatric emergency trolley there."

▲Paediatric emergency trolley with medical supplies. In the bottom drawer are packs of intravenous fluid suitable for paediatric patients.

Dr Tong worked with some dedicated healthcare staff who cared about the well-being of patients. After communicating with different units, they were able to put children and their families in the same building and even the same ward. This helped families reunite and facilitated centralised care. "We made reference to different discharge criteria, so that recovered patients could go home together."

▲Dr Grace Tong was the first paediatrician in HKICC.

Meanwhile, Patient Care Assistant Helen Siu from the Department of Radiology assisted radiographers to perform X-ray at AWE. She made sure patients come to the waiting area on time and take off all metal objects. Her work was rather smooth as most patients had mild symptoms. "I had to wear full protective gear all day long. That was probably the hardest part." Due to space constraints, it was challenging to place equipment and perform exams on patients. After returning to the hospital, Helen shared her experience with colleagues. "It was like coming back from a trip with something new."

▲Helen Siu volunteered to support at the AWE to broaden her horizons and learn from colleagues from other hospitals.

Tackling the disease with scientific evidence

HKCH doctors have led and participated in COVID-19 research, like analyzing the antibody responses to two doses of comirnaty vaccine in paediatric renal patients, and epidemiology of acute myocarditis / pericarditis in adolescents following comirnaty vaccination. Recommendations are made on enhancing protection for these groups.

We were also involved in the HA expert panel for reviewing deceased and critical paediatric COVID-19 cases during the fifth wave, including their clinical presentations, underlying diseases and vaccination status. It helps raise awareness and share management experience to stay ahead of the new virus.