Formation of EarLy Management (ELMa) Ward for Medically Stable COVID Patients
Care Process & Redesign
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
SingHealth
31 December 2021
Set up an alternate isolation ward to provide timely and safe care for medically stable COVID-19 patients amidst a. ELMa Ward is scalable, configurable, and provides a sustainable model for managing surges in patient numbers.
Year Submitted: 2021
Published Date: 31 December 2021
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Access To Care, Waiting Time, Bed Occupancy Rate, Turnaround Time, Value Based Care, Safe Care
About this Content
Aims
Set up an alternate isolation ward to provide timely and safe care for medically stable COVID-19 patients amidst a nationwide bed shortage.
Background
COVID-19 caused an influx of medically stable patients requiring isolation, leading to bed shortages and strain on acute care resources.
Methods
Developed ELMa Ward with alternate care facilities, safari beds, portable screens, and self-medication protocols; integrated outpatient and inpatient workflows.
Results
Admitted 93 patients, avoiding 222 bed days in general wards; successfully addressed bed shortages during peak COVID-19 periods.
Conclusion
ELMa Ward is scalable, configurable, and provides a sustainable model for managing surges in patient numbers.
Lessons Learnt
Effective workflows and innovative use of resources improved capacity and care delivery during crises.
Additional Information
Recognized with Merit Award (Operations Category), SHM 2021.
Keywords
COVID-19, Bed Management, ELMa Ward, Workflow Redesign, Resource Optimization
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Changi General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Epidemiology, Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Adeline Wong |
Project Member(s) | Tan Mei Fen |
Connect with this contributor!
Adeline Wong - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg