[AVBC 2025] Workforce Redesign in the Acute Medical Ward: Acuity-Based Triage System
Care Process & Redesign
Workforce Transformation
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
SingHealth
26 November 2025
To trial a triage system in a lower acuity setting in the future. The triage system partially supported redistribution of clinical tasks by aligning patient needs with clinician competencies.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 26 November 2025
Tags: Workforce Transformation, Job Redesign, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Operational Management, Resource Allocation
About this Content
Aims
To trial a triage system in a lower acuity setting in the future.
Background
Workforce redesign is crucial in sustaining acute medical services. Redistributing clinical tasks promotes optimisation of manpower allocation, whereby junior doctors operate at their full competency, while senior doctors engage in both oversight and foundational clinical tasks.
Methods
The study was conducted in the Acute Medical Ward (AMW) of Singapore General Hospital over a three-week period in March 2025. Patients were stratified into three acuity levels, and the distribution of patients across triage levels and the resulting clinician workload were tracked.
Results
69.6% of patients were classified as Triage Level A. 70% were reviewed by consultants and 24.5% by senior residents, resulting in a total of 94.5% of patients being reviewed by a senior clinician.
Conclusion
The triage system partially supported redistribution of clinical tasks by aligning patient needs with clinician competencies. The persistently high senior clinician involvement underscores the ongoing need for senior expertise despite workforce redesign efforts.
Lessons Learnt
The findings reflect the inherent complexity of the AMW, where diagnostic uncertainty and evolving clinical needs often require senior input. The triage system allowed for some delegation of daily reviews to junior doctors.
Keywords
Acute Ward, Task Delegation, Work Redistribution
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Singapore General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Internal Medicine |
Project Lead(s) | Melvin Gan Ee Siu |
Project Member(s) | Trina Jo Mah Rui Qi |
Connect with this contributor!
Melvin Gan Ee Siu - melvin.gan@singhealth.com.sg
Project Attachment
1073_SGH_AVBC_2025_Workforce_Redesign_in_the_Acute_Medical_Ward_Acuity_Based_Triage_System.pdf