ABSTRACT
Aim: Conventionally, patients are gathered to watch an introductory video at the clinic before endoscopic investigations take place. This may arouse practical issues under the COVID pandemic. Our centre, in collaboration with students from a local secondary school, has designed a set of animations which patients can easily access to with a QR code using their own mobile devices, so as to avoid patient gathering and increase their flexibility to read the information. This study aims to evaluate patients' perception of the QR code-based introductory animations of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy (CLN). Method(s): A QR code linking to the animation was attached to the appointment sheet. Patients were asked to watch the animation with their own mobile devices before the endoscopy. A questionnaire with 5 questions was distributed after completion of their procedures. Result(s): A total of 144 patients undergoing OGD and CLN were recruited in May-June, 2022 at Tin Shui Wai Hospital. The response rate was 91.7%. Positive feedback was received. 12 patients (8.3%) did not gain access to the animation. A majority of patients agreed or totally agreed that the animation offered them more flexibility to understand the procedures before their OGD (75.4%) and CLN (79.1%). The QR code-based animation was deemed easy-to-use (80.3%), appealing (78.0%) and educational (81.0%). Conclusion(s): With increasing accessibility to mobile devices, patient education in preparation for medical procedures is no longer confined to the hospital setting. QR code-based animation is shown to be an effective and welcoming tool to prepare patients for endoscopies.
ABSTRACT
Aim: COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant social, economic and health impact worldwide, including Hong Kong. It causes unpredictable challenges to healthcare system. After implementing quarantine and social distancing measures, it is believed that patients have avoided seeking medical help due to avoidance of medical settings. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of COVID-19 on the presentation and clinical outcome of acute appendicitis, one of the commonest surgical disease. Mathod: Retrospective cohort study was carried out in our cluster to compare acute appendicitis patients during 1 January 2020 to 31 July 2020 with the same period 1 year before. Parameters including time of presentation, complicated appendicitis rate, post-operative complication rate, and length of stay were compared and analysed. Results: A total of 459 patients (229 in pre-COVID group vs. 230 in COVID group) were included. There was no significant difference in basic demographics. There was a significant higher incidence of complicated appendicitis (67% vs. 52%, p = .028), post-operative complication rate (29% vs. 7%, p = .042) and a trend of longer length of stay (7.27 vs. 9.67 days, p = .163) in February COVID group compare with pre-COVID group. The time of presentation was significantly longer in March COVID group(3.75 vs. 1.56 days, p = .031), which may correlate with the spike of local confirmed cases. Conclusion: During COVID-19 pandemic, more acute appendicitis patients presented late to hospital, with an increase in complicated appendicitis rate and post-operative complication rate. We must raise public awareness to ensure prompt attendance to medical help in case of alarming symptoms.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted Hong Kong in early January 2020. Quarantine and social distancing measures have been implemented to prevent disease spread. Material and Method: Retrospective cohort study was carried out in our cluster to compare the acute appendicitis cases during pandemic period, January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020, with the same period 1 year before. Parameters including time of presentation, complicated appendicitis rate, operative time, post-operative complication rate, and total length of stay were compared and analysed. Results: A total number of 348 patients (160 in the pre-COVID group versus 188 in the post-COVID group) were included. There is no significant difference in basic demographics. The time of presentation was significantly longer in March (3.75 days vs 1.56 days, P =.031) and June 2020 (3.02 days vs 1.88 days, P =.026) compared with the pre-COVID group, which correlate with the spike of local confirmed cases. There was a significantly higher incidence of complicated appendicitis (67% vs 52%, P =.028) and post-operative complication rate (29% vs 7%, P =.042) in February post-COVID group compare with the pre-COVID group. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic period, more patients with acute appendicitis presented late to the hospital, with an increase in complicated appendicitis rate and post-operative complication rate. © 2020 College of Surgeons of Hong Kong