Efficient Transitional Care, Effective Bed Utilization
Care Continuum
Yishun Health One Improvement Festival
National Healthcare Group
28 April 2025
Enhance collaboration among departments focused on patient discharges, with the goal of creating an efficient patient flow. This project highlights the critical role of collaboration and education in enhancing patient flow within the healthcare system.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 28 April 2025
Tags: Care Continuum, Workflow Redesign, Cost Saving, Time Saving
About this Content
Aims
Enhance collaboration among departments focused on patient discharges, with the goal of creating an efficient patient flow system. This system will facilitate the transfer of medically stable patients from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) to Transitional Care Facilities (TCFs) as introduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Background
The project addresses the challenge of limited bed capacity at KTPH, exacerbated by the increasing number of medically stable patients awaiting final discharge destination. By enhancing the identification of suitable patients for TCF transfers while they wait for long-term placement, the project seeks to improve patient flow and ensure that beds are available for other patients requiring timely medical treatment.
Methods
With TCF being introduced, Inpatient Services Team (IPS) established a detailed TCF Decantment Guide and Workflow. This includes important pieces of information like inclusion and exclusion criteria, visitation policies, and associated charges. The staff from Medical Social Service (MSS) was also better equipped to provide comprehensive stepdown care options and information as part of the discharge planning discussions.
Results
From April 2022 to September 2024, KTPH had successfully referred 1002 TCF cases, with an impressive admission rate of 63.2%. These transfers saved 19,566 bed days, translating to a cost avoidance of $29,349,000. There is a significant reduction of LOS for patients waiting for residential placements.
Conclusion
This project highlights the critical role of collaboration and education in enhancing patient flow within the healthcare system. Effective teamwork and strategic planning can significantly enhance healthcare delivery efficiency, resulting in shorter LOS and improved patient outcomes.
Lessons Learnt
The collaboration demonstrated that robust teamwork and synergy are important for efficient patient flow. This strengthens operational resilience and boosts the system's adaptability and agility.
Additional Information
Before the implementation of TCF, the average length of stay (LOS) for patients waiting for residential placement was significant. The initiative aims to address this challenge by improving patient flow and ensuring timely medical attention and treatment for all patients.
Keywords
Transitional Care, Bed Utilization, Patient Flow, Healthcare Efficiency
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Khoo Teck Puat Hospital |
Platform(s) | Yishun Health One Improvement Festival |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | General Medicine |
Project Lead(s) | Nurashikin B.M.S.Y., Ismawanty B.A.R. |
Project Member(s) | Miss Jasmine Lee Yuan Ting |
Connect with this contributor!
KTPH & YCH Innovation & Improvement (I&I) Office - i-i@ktph.com.sg