Ipoh hospital launches drive-through initiative to ease congestion

CORONAVIRUS | A team of medical frontliners from Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh has conducted drive-through Neonatal Jaundice screenings to ease congestion in the clinic during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Health Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah the check-up is for newborn babies who need following up to prevent severe jaundice.

Yesterday, the team, led by Dr Chua Bee Sim, screened 63 babies using the facilities at Klinik Kesihatan Greentown.

"Only 11 babies required venesection, and three babies required admission for phototherapy," Noor Hisham said in a Facebook post yesterday.

He said the hospital's Paediatric clinic has been using the handheld Transcutaneous Bilirubinometer (TCB) for the past two years to complement venesection to decide jaundice levels.

"A TCB is an excellent method to decrease the need to do venesection in Neonatal Jaundice Clinics (NNJ).

'When used within its limitations, it is a useful tool to improve client satisfaction and NNJ management," he said.

As for the drive-through initiative, Noor Hisham said it would prevent potential overcrowding in the clinic and ensures social distancing.

- Bernama

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