Harnessing Productivity Gains by Redesigning Medication Delivery Process
Care Process & Redesign
Technology
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
SingHealth
31 December 2020
To transform the medication delivery process to reduce reliance on labour while maintaining timeliness of medication. Successfully automated medication delivery, freeing porters for patient care and reducing operational costs.
Year Submitted: 2020
Published Date: 31 December 2020
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Technology, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Operational Management, Logistics Management, Digitalisation, Automation, Operational Intelligence, Access To Care, Turnaround Time, Productivity, Cost Saving, Manhour Saving, Value Based Care, Safe Care
About this Content
Aims
To transform the medication delivery process to reduce reliance on labour while maintaining timeliness of medication delivery.
Background
SGH’s manual medication delivery relied on porters, which was laborious and time-consuming. Innovations were needed to improve efficiency and save costs.
Methods
Implemented a Pneumatic Tube System (PTS) for medication delivery, optimizing workflows and reducing reliance on porters.
Results
Annual savings of $9,092 achieved in pilot phase; projected cost savings of $70,068 with full-scale implementation. Turnaround time improved significantly.
Conclusion
Successfully automated medication delivery, freeing porters for patient care and reducing operational costs.
Lessons Learnt
Collaboration across Pharmacy, Nursing, and Facilities teams ensured effective roll-out. Timely return of canisters is critical for scalability.
Additional Information
Recognized for innovation and process improvement through automation.
Keywords
Pneumatic Tube System, Medication Delivery, Automation, Cost Savings, Workflow Efficiency
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Singapore General Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Pharmacy |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Pharmacology, Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Quek Bak Siang |
Project Member(s) | Sia Vic-ki |
Connect with this contributor!
Mr. Quek Bak Siang - quek.bak.siang@sgh.com.sg
Project Attachment
429_SGH_NHIP_2020_Transformation_of_SGH_Medication_Delivery_combine.pdf