[AVBC 2025] AIRES: A Transdisciplinary Therapy Model in Acute Inpatient Care
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
National Healthcare Group
5 December 2025
The aim of the AIRES programme is to redesign inpatient rehabilitation from a multi-disciplinary to a transdisciplinary. The TD model of care can achieve benefits in acute settings when clinical, operational, and change management implications are.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 05 December 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Workflow Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Quality Improvement
About this Content
Aims
The aim of the AIRES programme is to redesign inpatient rehabilitation from a multi-disciplinary to a transdisciplinary model of care to reduce duplication of services and costs for patients with basic rehabilitation needs.
Background
In acute hospital inpatient settings, traditional uni-professional care by Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists often leads to duplication of services and increased costs for patients with basic rehabilitation needs. To address this, Tan Tock Seng Hospital developed the AIRES programme.
Methods
The AIRES programme was implemented in 6 wards practicing transdisciplinary therapy and compared with 6 control wards from January 2023 to December 2023. Outcome measures of service utilization, therapy costs, and length of stay (LOS) were compared using multivariable regression models and adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, and age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).
Results
The TD model of care allowed a single cross-trained therapist to assess and triage rehabilitation needs, reducing duplication and therapy costs. The AIRES wards showed a 17.6% reduction in therapy costs and a reduction in LOS by 2.72 days compared to control wards.
Conclusion
The TD model of care can achieve benefits in acute settings when clinical, operational, and change management implications are considered.
Lessons Learnt
Implementation required navigating challenges such as manpower exigencies and process differences between departments and stakeholders. The programme adapted to improve implementation while respecting professional boundaries and established procedures.
Keywords
rehabilitation, transdisciplinary, therapy, cost, inpatient
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Rehabilitation Therapy |
Project Lead(s) | Donna Chiang Hai Yun |
Project Member(s) | Quek MS |
Connect with this contributor!
Donna Chiang Hai Yun - Donna_hy_chiang@ttsh.com.sg
Project Attachment
916_TTSH_AVBC_2025_AIRES_A_Transdisciplinary_Therapy_Model_in_Acute_Inpatient_Care.pdf