Authors: (including presenting author): :
NGAI SL (1) (2), KWOK KC (1) (3), YAU CY (2), CHAU CW (2), KUNG CM (1)
Affiliation: :
(1)Major Incident Control Centre, Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO MICC) (2)Accident and Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (A&E, QEH) (3)Physiotherapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (PHYS, QEH)
Keyword 1: :
Tele-health services
Keyword 2: :
Resource utilization
Keyword 3: :
Interdepartmental collaboration
Introduction: :
During the 15th National Games (NG), the Hospital Authority (HA), in collaboration with the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS), St John Ambulance Brigade (SJA), and Fire Services Department (FSD), provided comprehensive medical support to cover all competitions and accommodation venues. To par with the National standard in providing round-the-clock medical services in every accommodation venues, an initiative of centralizing medical support in hotel was implemented, effectively reducing the need to deploy multiple doctors while maintaining high-quality care. A Family Medicine (FM) doctor stationed at the Tele-Hub in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) A&E provided tele-consultation after on-site assessment, establishing a comprehensive care model for large-scale sporting events.
Objectives: :
1.Ensure patient safety through timely tele-consultation 2.Reduce AED attendance 3.Optimize manpower deployment and resource utilization 4.Strengthen interdepartmental and cross-sectoral collaboration
Methodology: :
Tele-health Medical Centres were established across ten designated hotels, each equipped with adequate lighting, spacious consultation areas and stable network connections. AMS or SJA, responders provided on-site medical assessment and immediate care as deemed necessary. When further medical attention was warranted, a single FM doctor, stationed at the Major Incident Control Centre (MICC) room in QEH A&E, conducted round-the-clock tele-consultation using a custom-made electronic Medical Encounter Form (eMEF) for documentations, prescriptions and diseases notifications. Mild cases were managed on-site with pre-packed medications dispensed by responders following tele-consultation. Cases requiring further care were referred to designated hospitals via FSD ambulances under the Green Channel protocol, ensuring continuity and safety of care. The HAHO MICC provided logistical and technical support throughout NG.
Result & Outcome: :
Over 68 days, 115 tele-health consultations were conducted across 144 service shifts for patients aged 17–58 years. Athletes accounted for 60% of attendances, while 40% attendees were technical or team officials. The most common conditions included upper respiratory tract infections (37.4%), musculoskeletal conditions (24.3%), and gastrointestinal problems (14.8%). The majority (88.7%) were treated and discharged with pre-packed medications, while 11.3% required hospital referral. Among participating doctors, 91.7% agreed that service reduced unnecessary A&E attendances. The tele-health services model demonstrated high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety, significantly improving patient accessibility, interdepartmental coordination and resource utilization. It also provided a scalable framework for future multi-venue sports and public health events.
