Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care (RSDH) confirmed its first three cases of Covid-19 (March 4) in one of its hospitals, Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC). The first two cases were treated at SJMC’s ER department and the third case was a staff member who came into contact with the second patient in the ER.
Photo via New Straits Times
SJMC has taken precautions by closing its ER temporarily following those cases - and performed a two-hour thorough and extensive terminal cleaning and disinfection of the whole area.
The ER was reopened on the same day at 6 pm once the disinfecting was completed.
The first positive Covid-19 case was a male patient who recently traveled to Italy and Singapore. He came to SJMC on February 26 and is Malaysia’s 25th Covid-19 case.
SJMC’s second case came in on February 27th, who is also a male patient who had not recently traveled overseas. The patient was the 26th recorded case in the country.
In these two cases, the patients were wearing face masks when they arrived at the hospital and the staff at the screening station redirected the patients to the ER for home quarantine while waiting for their test results. The patients were transferred to Hospital Sungai Buloh (HSB) for further treatment.
The third case reported by SJMC on 3 March is the 34th case in Malaysia. This involved a staff member who came into close contact with the second patient in the ER.
Following this, all staff who have had any contact with the two patients in the ER have been tested for Covid-19 and have been placed under home quarantine. A number of these staff have been cleared to return to work.
Photo via RSDH: Guided by MOH protocol, SJMC conducted a terminal cleaning to disinfect its Emergency Room following the three COVID-19 cases, after which the area was reopened to the public.
Greg Brown, Group Chief Executive Officer of RSDH said that the staff member is currently being admitted at HSB and is receiving treatment. “We are monitoring their progress closely and ensuring that our staff receives all necessary support. Complying with the international standards, we have the best infection control measures in place to ensure that we limit any risk to staff, doctors, patients, and visitors, as well as the community we serve. We are also working very closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) on this matter, particularly with the office of the Director-General of Health which has provided their full support,”
He further highlighted that RSDH has implemented stringent safety protocols for its hospitals. “We have taken proactive measures to protect our staff and doctors by requesting that all international travel be postponed. Appropriate measures have also been undertaken to quarantine staff who have already traveled outside Malaysia, particularly to the countries listed by MOH that are affected by COVID-19. In addition to this, Infection Prevention and Control teams are frequently conducting briefings at all our hospitals to all staff to minimise exposure and contain the spread.”
“We assure the public that we are taking all necessary measures to provide a safe environment for our staff, doctors, patients and everyone who walks through our doors. As part of our strict safety protocols, we have implemented screening stations at all entry points of our hospitals to ensure that all patients and visitors are thoroughly screened in accordance with MOH guidelines. Also, we have set up triage areas outside of the ER to manage suspected cases of COVID-19. RSDH and the public health officials are working closely to ensure that patients receive excellent care and that all procedures are followed to protect the community from COVID-19.”
RSDH also advocates the importance of handwashing and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment.
The best way for the public to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as Covid-19, is to practice good personal hygiene.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
