Improving Care for Hip Injury Patients
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
31 December 2021
To better manage Acute & Emergency Care patients with blunt or traumatic hip injuries who do not fulfill admission criteria. The protocol reduced unnecessary admissions, improved cost savings, and shortened diagnosis time while maintaining patient safety.
Year Submitted: 2021
Published Date: 31 December 2021
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Care Continuum, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Access To Care, Waiting Time, Turnaround Time, Productivity, Cost Saving, Value Based Care, Discharge Planning, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Right-Siting
About this Content
Aims
To better manage Acute & Emergency Care patients with blunt or traumatic hip injuries who do not fulfill admission criteria to the hip fracture unit.
Background
Patients with minor hip injuries often ended up admitted to general wards unnecessarily. The team aimed to create an alternative workflow to prevent this.
Methods
Developed the Hip Contusion protocol at EDTU, introduced a dedicated MRI slot, and implemented a decision-making framework. Data on admissions, discharges, and cost savings were tracked.
Results
39 patients discharged using the protocol saved 218 bed days, equating to $141,700 savings. Faster MRI diagnosis reduced waiting time by up to 200%. Patient costs reduced by $1,048 (38%). Readmission rate: 3% vs inpatient rate of 12.4%.
Conclusion
The protocol reduced unnecessary admissions, improved cost savings, and shortened diagnosis time while maintaining patient safety.
Lessons Learnt
Inter-department teamwork ensured smooth workflow changes. Continual stakeholder engagement is essential for protocol improvement.
Additional Information
Standard protocol adopted at EDTU. Ongoing reviews improve screening processes.
Keywords
Care Redesign, Hip Injury, Bed Day Savings, Workflow Improvement, Cost Savings, Hip Contusion Protocol, Diagnostic Radiology, KTPH
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Khoo Teck Puat Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Nursing, Medical, Healthcare Administration |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Orthopaedics, Emergency Medicine, Diagnostic Radiography, Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Shobhit Swarup |
Project Member(s) | Kanak Naidu |
Connect with this contributor!
Dr Shobhit Swarup - swarup.shobhit@ktph.com.sg
Project Attachment
371_KTPH_NHIP_2021_Improving_Care_for_Hip_Injury_Patients_COMBINED.pdf