Improving the “Time-to-diagnosis” for patients presenting with Gross Hematuria
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
31 December 2024
Increase the proportion of patients receiving flexible cystoscopy within 21 days of referral from 20% to 100% in 6 months. Successfully reduced diagnostic and treatment delays.
Year Submitted: 2024
Published Date: 31 December 2024
Tags: Care Continuum, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Acute Care, Access To Care, Turnaround Time, Waiting Time
About this Content
Aims
Increase the proportion of patients receiving flexible cystoscopy within 21 days of referral from 20% to 100% in 6 months.
Background
Gross hematuria is a key symptom of bladder cancer, and delays in diagnosis can worsen patient prognosis. Existing delays ranged from 58 days for diagnosis to 72 days for treatment.
Methods
Implemented targeted pre-scope counseling, changed referral protocols from CT urography-first to flexible cystoscopy-first, and improved triaging processes.
Results
No-show rates decreased from 34.5% to 16.9%. “Time-to-diagnosis” reduced from 58 days to 21 days, and “time-to-treatment” improved from 72 days to 43 days.
Conclusion
Successfully reduced diagnostic and treatment delays. Future plans include integrating lessons into national guidelines for urology referrals.
Lessons Learnt
Standardized triaging and pre-scope counseling reduce delays and improve patient compliance.
Keywords
Cystoscopy, Gross Hematuria, Urology Clinic, Bladder Cancer, Tumor Grade, Prognosis
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) | Allied Health, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Urology |
Project Lead(s) | Lau Weida |
Project Member(s) | Dinesh Sirisena |
Connect with this contributor!
Dr Lau Weida - Lau.weida@ktph.com.sg
Project Attachment
626_KTPH_NHIP_2024_Improving_the_time_to_diagnosis_for_patients_with_gross_hematuria.pdf