Health Care : Current Reviews

A review of the effectiveness of fever tent setup in COVID-19 pandemic from a Radiology perspective

5^th International Conference on HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT

December 07, 2022 | Dubai, UAE

Manful Chan Man Fung

National University Health System, Singapore

Keynote: Health Care Curr Rev

Abstract:

Introduction: This paper describes our experience in setting up a dedicated imaging facility within a temporary fever tentage in an acute tertiary hospital in Singapore during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We review the effectiveness of the setup and its role from the radiological perspective in detail. Methods: The dedicated imaging facility within the temporary fever tentage was equipped with a Computer- On-Wheels (COWs) to access patients’ medical records and a portable X-ray machine to allow for a smooth workflow. Radiation dose measurements were acquired around the imaging facility using phantoms and dosimeters to ensure radiation safety. Results: Due to its rapid nature and availability as a screening tool, chest X-ray (CXR) is the most widely used imaging modality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our dedicated fever tent setup minimizes possible inhospital transmission between both patients and staff and provides a more streamlined workflow to tackle the high workload. It allowed us to reduce the time required for each radiograph, providing timely imaging services and radiological reports for expedient clinical screening. Discussion: The close collaboration between Radiology and Emergency Departments in setting up the fever tentage is a crucial tool in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The fever tentage imaging facility is a highly effective tool, providing the means to handle the increased patient load in a streamlined and safe manner during a pandemic. Conclusion: This paper provides insights and guidelines in setting up a dedicated imaging service within the fever tent for future infectious disease outbreak contingency plans.
References:
1. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, Zhao X, Huang B, Shi W, Lu R, Niu P, Zhan F, Ma X, Wang D, Xu W, Wu G, Gao GF, Tan W; China Novel Coronavirus Investigating and Research Team. A Novel Coronavirus from Patients with Pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J Med. 2020 Feb 20;382(8):727-733. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001017.

Biography :

Manful Chan Man Fung has completed his MSc in Curtin University (Western Australia), 2013 and BSc (Hons) in Radiography (specialism in medical imaging) in Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2001. He is the chief radiographer in the department of Radiology for Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFG), Singapore. With his 21 years expertise experience, he has successfully built a competent team of radiographers to deliver effective imaging services to serve the population in Singapore and tackled COVID crisis to provide seamless radiography services to NTFGH. He had contributed to both SARS outbreak and the recent COVID-19 pandemic battle in Public Healthcare Institutions of Singapore. He takes charge of the setup of pandemic workflows in NTFGH Radiology and successfully ensure efficient, safe round-the-clock imaging services are provided to cope with the surge of COVID patients. He is appointed as the member of the Allied Health Panel for Diagnostic Radiography & Radiation Therapy in Ministry of Health, Singapore and served as national level domain experts in radiography (2018- present). He is also appointed as the member of the Singapore Allied Health Professions Council’s Complaints Panel since 2017 to inquire and chair complaints against registered allied health professionals to protect safety and well-being of the public.