Home Equipment Loan Program (HELP) for Vulnerable Newborns
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National University Health System
31 December 2022
Ease financial burden of families, reduce hospital stays, and improve transition to home care for vulnerable newborns. HELP improved patient safety, caregiver competency, and financial efficiency while reducing hospital stay durations.
Year Submitted: 2022
Published Date: 31 December 2022
Tags: Care Continuum, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Home Care, Right-Siting, Preventive Care, Patient Education, Value Based Care, Patient Satisfaction, Access To Care, Bed Occupancy Rate, Operational Management, Resource Allocation, Productivity, Cost Saving
About this Content
Aims
Ease financial burden of families, reduce hospital stays, and improve transition to home care for vulnerable newborns.
Background
Medically vulnerable newborns faced prolonged hospital stays and high costs due to the need for home medical equipment.
Methods
Launched equipment loan program with a $50,000 NUH seed grant. Created processes for loaning, maintaining, and training caregivers on medical equipment.
Results
HELP reduced hospital stays by 10-14 days per patient; saved families $24,000 per equipment set and institutions $125,000 in the first year.
Conclusion
HELP improved patient safety, caregiver competency, and financial efficiency while reducing hospital stay durations.
Lessons Learnt
Collaboration with stakeholders and focus on standardization and caregiver engagement ensured program success. Engaging parents earlier would enhance responsiveness.
Keywords
Equipment Loan, Neonatology, Home Care, Reduced Hospital Stay, Patient Safety
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | National University Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Healthcare Administrators, Neonatology |
Project Lead(s) | Zubair Amin |
Project Member(s) | Yvonne Ng |
Connect with this contributor!
A/Prof Zubair Amin - paeza@nus.edu.sg
Project Attachment
C_259_NUH_NHIP_2022_Home_Equipment_Loan_Programe_HELP_for_Vulnerable_Newborn.pdf