Honouring Patient’s Last Wish: IAMGOINGHOME
Care Process & Redesign
National University Health System Quality Improvement
National University Health System
31 December 2023
Facilitate compassionate discharge (Com D) from ICU for patients at the end of life, honoring their last wish to go home. The project has shown positive outcomes for patients and families, and the model is being explored for wider implementation.
Year Submitted: 2023
Published Date: 31 December 2023
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, End-Of-Life Care, Palliative Care
About this Content
Aims
Facilitate compassionate discharge (Com D) from ICU for patients at the end of life, honoring their last wish to go home.
Background
ICU patients nearing end of life faced barriers to compassionate discharge due to lack of resources, training, and coordination.
Methods
Implemented a structured palliative care team, improved communication, and developed guidelines to support ICU staff in facilitating Com D.
Results
Successfully facilitated 8 Com D cases, improving patient and family satisfaction while reducing ICU bed utilization.
Conclusion
The project has shown positive outcomes for patients and families, and the model is being explored for wider implementation.
Lessons Learnt
Building a structured, multi-disciplinary team and improving communication are key to facilitating compassionate discharge in ICU.
Keywords
Compassionate Discharge, Palliative Care, End-of-Life Care, ICU, Patient Wishes
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | Ng Teng Fong General Hospital |
Platform(s) | National University Health System Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Ancillary Care, Nursing, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Palliative Medicine |
Project Lead(s) | Tan Chee Keat |
Project Member(s) | Toh Wen Ya |
Connect with this contributor!
Tan Chee Keat - Chee_Keat_TAN@nuhs.edu.sg
Project Attachment
C_396_NTFGH_QM_2023_Honouring_Patient_s_Last_Wish_IAMGOINGHOME.pdf