Improving Safety and Reduce Falls in a Crowded Eye Clinic
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
3 December 2025
The team aimed to reduce the number of reported fall cases by 50% or more before the end of 2024. Ensuring patients and visitors' safety is everyone's responsibility.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 03 December 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Risk Management, Preventive Approach, Safe Care, Value Based Care
About this Content
Aims
The team aimed to reduce the number of reported fall cases by 50% or more before the end of 2024.
Background
The Eye Clinic experienced a high rate of patient falls due to space constraints, overcrowding, and the clinic's layout, which includes numerous consult and treatment rooms fitted with sliding doors. The primary group affected is the clinic's elderly patient population, many of whom have vision impairments, mobility issues, or require wheelchairs and assistance from caregivers.
Methods
The team used the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle to implement changes. This included regular roll calls to train staff, using pictorial signs to caution patients and caregivers, installing door guard railings, exploring alternate areas for patients waiting during pupil dilation, and increasing seating capacity in the waiting area.
Results
From April 2023 to March 2024, there were 8 reported fall cases in the Eye Clinic. The implementation of changes aimed to reduce these incidents.
Conclusion
Ensuring patients and visitors' safety is everyone's responsibility. Involving all stakeholders in exploring preventive measures is crucial for a cost-effective and sustainable long-term solution.
Lessons Learnt
Key learnings include the importance of ensuring patient and visitor safety, involving all stakeholders in exploring preventive measures, and addressing space constraints and overcrowding.
Keywords
Safety, Falls, Eye Clinic, Overcrowding, Elderly, Wheelchairs, Caregivers
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Ng Teng Fong General Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Ophthalmology |
Project Lead(s) | Sim Siew Ngoh |
Project Member(s) | Adeline Tan |
Connect with this contributor!
Sim Siew Ngoh - siew_ngoh_sim@nuhs.edu.sg
Project Attachment
467_NTFGH_NHIP_2025_IMPROVING_SAFETY_AND_REDUCE_FALLS_IN_A_CROWDED_EYE_CLINIC.pdf