[AVBC 2025] Breathing Easier: How a Respiratory Therapist-Led Protocol Cut Ventilator Time in the MICU
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
National Healthcare Group
10 November 2025
Reduce mean duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) in the MICU by 33% from 8.8 to 5.9 days within 1 year. The interventions led to a significant reduction in the mean duration of MV, demonstrating the effectiveness of the implemented.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 10 November 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Clinical Practice Improvement, Productivity, Cost Saving, Time Saving
About this Content
Aims
Reduce mean duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) in the MICU by 33% from 8.8 to 5.9 days within 1 year. Integrate processes into daily practice to maintain this reduction.
Background
In 2021, the mean duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) in the MICU was 8.8 days, compared to 5.9 days internationally. Prolonged MV increases morbidity and mortality, leading to increased care complexity and costs.
Methods
A team of doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists analyzed existing practices and used Pareto analysis to select key interventions. The protocol was piloted in half the MICU before full implementation across ICU in November 2022.
Results
Mean duration of MV decreased by 31% (6.1 days) in a year.
Conclusion
The interventions led to a significant reduction in the mean duration of MV, demonstrating the effectiveness of the implemented protocol.
Lessons Learnt
Challenges included lack of readiness criteria, variability in SBT practices, no team coordination, and no shared ownership.
Keywords
Ventilation, Respiratory, MICU, Protocol, Efficiency
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) | Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Respiratory Therapy |
Project Lead(s) | Sim Wenyuan |
Project Member(s) | Emelin Tan Pei Xin |
Connect with this contributor!
Emelin Tan Pei Xin - emelin_px_tan@ttsh.com.sg