24/7 Haemodialysis: Enhancing Patient Care at AHU

Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 02 April 2025

Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Workflow Redesign, Quality Improvement, Clinical Practice Improvement, Value Based Care, Safe Care

About this Content

Aims

AHU aims to provide continuous, high-quality haemodialysis for high-acuity patients, ensuring right siting of patients and optimizing patient care while achieving significant cost savings by alleviating the ICU/HD resource burden.

Background

Before the setup of the Acute Haemodialysis Unit (AHU) at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), patients requiring high-acuity care or dialysis outside Renal Centre hours were admitted to ICU/HD, leading to increased admissions and higher healthcare costs.

Methods

Since the setup of AHU, it provides 24/7 intermittent haemodialysis for high-acuity patients, supporting those needing non-invasive ventilation, inotropic support, and close monitoring. Unstable patients receive haemodialysis without ICU/HD admission, and stable patients are transferred to general wards post-haemodialysis.

Results

The AHU has effectively reduced the need for ICU/HD admissions, resulting in substantial cost savings and improved patient care. There has been a significant increase in the number of patients receiving high-acuity haemodialysis care.

Conclusion

The setup of AHU relieves the ICU/HD unit of receiving patients solely for haemodialysis, provides rapid access to haemodialysis 24/7, achieves right siting of care, and frees up crucial ICU/HD resources, leading to significant cost savings.

Lessons Learnt

The AHU reduces ICU admissions and enhances patient well-being by managing high-acuity patients with a lower nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2, compared to 1:3 in the Renal Centre. It also improves job satisfaction for nurses by providing training in life-support and non-invasive ventilation.

Additional Information

1. The AHU provides an additional site for dialysis, ensuring continuity of care during issues like power outages or water disruptions at the main Renal Centre. The project aims to allocate patients to appropriate care streams, reducing ICU admissions. 2. The One Improvement Festival 2025 (Category A - Improving and Sustaining Quality & Safety) – Top 15 Finalists

Keywords

Haemodialysis, ICU, Renal Centre, Patient Care, Cost Savings

Innovators' Details

Connect with this contributor!

KTPH & YCH Innovation & Improvement (I&I) Office - i-i@ktph.com.sg

Project Attachment

738_KTPH_OIF_2025_Haemodialysis_Enhancing_Patient_Care_at_AHU.PDF