KEPALA BATAS – The start of operations at the Kepala Batas Hospital field intensive care unit has been postponed to either Thursday or Friday to accommodate stricter standard operating procedures.
Field hospital commander Lt Col Dr Mohd Zamri Derahman said the SOPs are being stepped up after not getting approval from the fire brigade for drills.
“Yesterday, we did a fire drill in theory, but the fire brigade felt we needed to do a practical test because the area is prone to danger,” he told the press today.
“This area uses a lot of oxygen barrels, and it is a factor that can cause fires to spread quickly.”
On Sunday, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was reported as saying the field ICU was expected to start accepting Covid-19 patients today.
Dr Mohd Zamri said his party will conduct a comprehensive dry run today involving all personnel.
“This dry run will involve the use of PPE by all the members involved, including mock patients, to ensure the training does not involve only Covid-19 health SOPs.
“The Health Ministry was informed of this postponement at a meeting this morning.”
The first-ever field ICU featuring the hybrid concept uses four containers as its main facility to house coronavirus patients needing intensive care, after ICU wards at Penang’s hospitals reached maximum capacity.
Three containers each have 12 beds, and one will serve as an X-ray ward. Another 15 beds will be housed in three special tents nearby.
Dr Noor Hisham had said there was an urgent need to set up a field ICU at Kepala Batas Hospital to accommodate patients in critical condition, given that ICU admissions in Penang had shot up more than 45% since last month. – The Vibes, May 25, 2021
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