Improve Referral Process from NUH to Nursing Homes
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
Agency for Integrated Care - Intermediate and Long Term Care
National University Health System
31 December 2018
Streamline the referral process to nursing homes, reducing turnaround time (TAT) and improving coordination. The streamlined referral process ensures continuity of care and reduces unnecessary delays in nursing home placement.
Year Submitted: 2018
Published Date: 31 December 2018
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Care Continuum, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Access To Care, Referral Rate, Turnaround Time, Value Based Care, Discharge Planning, Lean Methodology, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Nursing Home Care, Productivity, Cost Saving
About this Content
Aims
Streamline the referral process to nursing homes, reducing turnaround time (TAT) and improving coordination.
Background
Complex referral processes led to prolonged TAT (60.6 days at 75th percentile) for nursing home admissions.
Methods
Conducted a 4.5-day Rapid Improvement Event (RIE) using Lean tools, including Value Stream Mapping and Gap Analysis.
Results
Reduced TAT by over 50%; saved 7.7 bed days/patient, with an annual cost avoidance of SGD 867,400; improved staff satisfaction.
Conclusion
The streamlined referral process ensures continuity of care and reduces unnecessary delays in nursing home placement.
Lessons Learnt
Multi-stakeholder collaboration and clear referral guidelines are essential for reducing inefficiencies.
Keywords
Process Improvement, Nursing Home Referrals, Lean Methodology, Cost Avoidance
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System, Agency for Integrated Care - Intermediate and Long Term Care |
Organization(s) Involved | National University Hospital,Bethany Nursing Home,Jamiyah Nursing Home, NTUC Health |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration, Medical, Allied Health |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Desmond Teo |
Project Member(s) |
Connect with this contributor!
Dr. Desmond Teo - desmond_teo@nuhs.edu.sg
Project Attachment
27_NUH_Improve_Referral_Process_from_NUH_to_Nursing_Homes_combine.pdf