Improving Inpatient Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation
Care Process & Redesign
National University Health System Quality Improvement
National University Health System
31 December 2024
To improve percentage of adequate gastroenterology inpatient colonoscopy bowel preparation from 69.1% to 90% by September. The project successfully improved bowel preparation efficiency and patient experience, with plans for hospital-wide expansion.
Year Submitted: 2024
Published Date: 31 December 2024
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Manhour Saving, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Patient Education
About this Content
Aims
To improve percentage of adequate gastroenterology inpatient colonoscopy bowel preparation from 69.1% to 90% by September 2024.
Background
Current percentage of adequate inpatient bowel preparation is 69.1%, which is below the international target of 90%. Poor bowel preparation affects the quality, difficulty, speed, and completeness of colonoscopy.
Methods
The project involves streamlining nursing processes, developing patient education resources, and implementing a standardized bowel preparation protocol. Pilot workflows and patient education programs were implemented, and resources were developed in multiple languages.
Results
Optimized nursing workflow increased efficiency during bowel preparation, and patient education improved attitudes and experiences. The project resulted in significant cost savings compared to pre-intervention.
Conclusion
The project successfully improved bowel preparation efficiency and patient experience, with plans for hospital-wide expansion.
Lessons Learnt
• Streamlining and standardization of diverse, superposed processes into NTFGH’s inaugural inpatient bowel preparation protocol has improved efficiency of bowel preparation and percentage of adequate inpatient bowel preparation. Benefits include considerable savings in healthcare cost and manpower/resource utilization.
• Future considerations include AI guided bowel preparation and enhanced rescue measures.
Additional Information
Efforts are underway to expand measures hospital-wide, and spread leaders have been identified. Resources are being developed in additional languages.
Keywords
Inpatient Bowel Preparation, POO Grade, PEG Charting, Standardised Protocol
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) | Medical, Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Gastroenterology |
Project Lead(s) | Seth Ting |
Project Member(s) | Benjamin Tay |
Connect with this contributor!
Dr Benjamin Tay - benjamin_tay@nuhs.edu.sg
Project Attachment
450_NTFGH _QM 2024_Improving Inpatient Colonscopy Bowel Preparation.pdf