Discharge Snapshot!
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
15 May 2025
The aim of the project is to improve the discharge medication process by reducing unnecessary clicks, potential errors, and. The project successfully improved the discharge medication process, resulting in significant time savings and reduction in medication.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 15 May 2025
Tags: Automation, Information ＆ Communication Technology, Robotics, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Workflow Redesign, Cost Saving, Time Saving
About this Content
Aims
The aim of the project is to improve the discharge medication process by reducing unnecessary clicks, potential errors, and poor coordination, ultimately saving time and reducing medication errors.
Background
The existing system list could only filter patients with a discharge order, not those with discharge medications ordered, leading to false positives and the risk of missing true discharge cases. This caused delays in medication dispensing and increased the risk of medication errors.
Methods
The project involved developing a customized system list to filter true discharge medication cases and implementing a prescription lock to control physician changes. The team engaged with stakeholders, conducted brainstorming sessions, and implemented technical solutions to meet clinical and operational needs.
Results
The new system list decreased false positive discharges from an average of 5 to 0, saving 123 hours per pharmacist annually, with a manpower cost saving of $245,754. The prescription lock prevented 10.11% of potential medication errors.
Conclusion
The project successfully improved the discharge medication process, resulting in significant time savings and reduction in medication errors, enhancing patient care and safety.
Lessons Learnt
The importance of proper identification and collaboration with relevant stakeholders was highlighted. More data collection planning would be beneficial if starting over.
Additional Information
The project was implemented in WH Pharmacy Inpatient department from January 2023 to May 2024, with involvement from WH Pharmacy IT Epic Willow team and other stakeholders.
Keywords
Discharge, Medication, Pharmacist, Workflow, Efficiency
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Woodlands Health |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Pharmacy |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Pharmacology |
Project Lead(s) | Joyi Lee |
Project Member(s) | Karen Lim |
Connect with this contributor!
Ms Joyi Lee - Joyi_lee@wh.com.sg