From leaving well to living well- Improving accessibility of Palliative Care patients from Tan Tock Seng Hospital to Dover Park Hospice
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement
National Healthcare Group
31 December 2019
To reduce waiting time for inpatient hospice from 6 to 3 working days over a sustained period. Seamless transfers increased accessibility, reduced costs, and improved end-of-life care for terminally ill patients.
Year Submitted: 2019
Published Date: 31 December 2019
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Care Continuum, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Access To Care, Waiting Time, Productivity, Cost Saving, End-Of-Life Care, Palliative Care, Hospice Care, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Right-Siting
About this Content
Aims
To reduce waiting time for inpatient hospice from 6 to 3 working days over a sustained period.
Background
Terminally ill patients experience delayed hospice transfers, leading to unnecessary medical utilization and stress for families. Right-siting care improves patient and family outcomes.
Methods
Addressed financial barriers through counseling and education. Standardized workflows, communication handovers, and interdisciplinary collaboration streamlined transfers.
Results
Reduced waiting time from 6 to 3 days, sustained over 2 years. Annual cost savings of SGD 235,776. Improved patient satisfaction and care quality.
Conclusion
Seamless transfers increased accessibility, reduced costs, and improved end-of-life care for terminally ill patients.
Lessons Learnt
Right-siting, financial counseling, and proactive workflows are key to reducing delays. Continuous team communication ensures success.
Additional Information
Recipient of the 2019 NHG Quality Improvement Award (Merit). Presented at international forums.
Keywords
Quality Improvement, Process Improvement, End-of-Life Care, Waiting Time, Cost Savings, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Collaboration
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Dover Park Hospice |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Nursing, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Palliative Medicine |
Project Lead(s) | Tricia Yung Sek Hwee, Sister Chia Gerk Sin |
Project Member(s) | Yang Xiu Yu |
Connect with this contributor!
Dr Tricia Yung Sek Hwee - sek_hwee_yung@ttsh.com.sg
Sister Chia Gerk Sin - gerk_sin_chia@ttsh.com.sg
Project Attachment
347_TTSH_NHG_QI_Award_2019_Improving_Accessibility_of_Palliative_Care_Patients_combine.pdf