Projects

Enhancing Person-Centered Care in Inpatient Wards through Design Thinking

Project Categories

Care Continuum

Care Process & Redesign

Platform

National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals

Cluster

Agency for Integrated Care - Intermediate and Long Term Care

10 October 2025

To enhance person-centered care in inpatient wards through design thinking. The project demonstrates the success of design thinking and lean methodologies in improving patient care and operational efficiency.

Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 10 October 2025

Tags: Inpatient Care, Design Thinking, Value Based Care, Length Of Stay, Care Continuum, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Workflow Redesign, Quality Improvement

About this Content

Aims

To enhance person-centered care in inpatient wards through design thinking.

Background

The project addresses the need to reimagine ward layouts and enhance care models due to planned fireproofing by 2025, using a 'Future-Back' approach.

Methods

Conducted Design Thinking and Lean Thinking workshops, shadowed patient journeys, and implemented phased care model improvements.

Results

Significant improvements in patient experience (composite score from 93% to 95%) and reduced average length of stay (from 30 to 26 days).

Conclusion

The project demonstrates the success of design thinking and lean methodologies in improving patient care and operational efficiency.

Lessons Learnt

Structured quality improvement, regular reviews, collaboration, and data collection challenges were key lessons.

Keywords

Care, Patient, Rehabilitation, Workflow, Improvement

Innovators' Details

Healthcare Cluster(s)	Agency for Integrated Care - Intermediate and Long Term Care
Organization(s) Involved	St. Andrew’s Community Hospital
Platform(s)	National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
Healthcare Professional Group(s)	Nursing
Applicable Specialty or Discipline	Rehabilitation Therapy
Project Lead(s)	Angel Lee
Project Member(s)	Elaine Ng Tan Lay Kheng Edward Goh Prabaharan Sinnathurai Ti Lian Lian Kyi Thient Thient Shaun Nathan Arlene Dergam Gangarani Jaganathan Mandy Chya Feng Yan Winnie Lopez Phyu Phyu Aung Ziini Lokho Gabriel Chin Rui Ying Clare Isabel Ee Leong Kwai Theng Chia Yi Heng Catherine Ho Chun Ying Evelynn Wong Wan Ting Jean Mok Jennie Lee Keen Austria Khuzaimah Bte Zainal Galvin Tan Tian Shi Ya Jolyn Lim Shimin Laura Lim Pei Xuan Sandy Lee Adrian Tan Li Yiding Ng Tzer Wee Tan Mui Lan Law Yen Hoon Eric Wee

Connect with this contributor!

Law Yen Hoon - Yenhoon_law@sach.org.sg

Project Attachment

208_SACH_NHIP_2025_Enhancing_Person-Centered_Care_in_Inpatient_Wards_through_Design_Thinking.pdf