Page 122 - FIGHT AGAINST UNCERTAINTY 5 FEB 2021

Continuity of Services for

COVID-19 and Non-COVID

Despite the uncertainties in managing the pandemic, the
Ministry continue to place equal emphasis on the care of both
COVID-19 and non-Covid patients. To ensure this, the MOH
through the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre Hospital
Services systematically monitors, plans and coordinates service
directions. As such, the guideline on facility planning and
service implementation during a pandemic was developed.

One of the key strategies in managing a surge of cases was the
identification of MOH facilities to be designated as COVID-19
treatment facilities. Majority of these hospitals operated as 1. Guideline for hospital to
continue services during
Hybrid COVID-19 hospitals. What this meant was, these COVID-19 pandemic
hospitals continued to treat both COVID-19 and non-Covid 1 2 2. Reviewing the trend:
patients. Nonetheless when the country experienced a surge Coordination by team
members at Medical
in cases, these hospitals prioritized treatment of individuals Programme
infected with the virus. At peaks of the pandemic, some of these
Hybrid hospitals operated as full COVID-19 hospitals.

To maintain service delivery continuity, surrounding hospitals
absorbed (decanting) non-Covid patients. Nonetheless, these
Hybrid hospitals continued to provide care for emergent cases
as well as obstetrics services. Additionally, in anticipation of the
rise in patients requiring critical care monitoring and treatment,
identified ICU facilities were strengthened. Where needed,
clinical areas were identified and repurposed as critical care
areas.

As the majority of COVID-19 patients in Malaysia were
Category 1 (asymptomatic) or Category 2 (mildly symptomatic),
they did not need to be housed in hospital settings. Therefore,
the Low Risk COVID-19 Quarantine & Treatment Centres
(PKRC) were identified to reduce the burden on hospitals.

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