Integration of AI-powered Co-pilot Tools for Discharge Prescription Processing Efficiency
Care Process & Redesign
Technology
National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement
National Healthcare Group
24 December 2025
This study aimed to implement and evaluate AI-powered co-pilot tools in improving the efficiency of discharge prescription. The implementation of AI co-pilot tools in discharge prescription processing has shown significant efficiency gains and cost savings.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 24 December 2025
Tags: Technology, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Artificial Intelligence, Workflow Redesign, Cost Saving, Quality Improvement, Automation, Digitalisation, Productivity
About this Content
Aims
This study aimed to implement and evaluate AI-powered co-pilot tools in improving the efficiency of discharge prescription processing. The primary objective was to optimise prescription processing time and manage increasing workload constraints and prescription complexity, while maintaining patient safety standards through continuous pharmacist oversight.
Background
Singapore faces mounting healthcare pressures driven by demographic shifts and medical complexity. Hospital admissions surged by 60% (400k to 645k) from 2006-2024 and elderly patients 65yo rose from 39% to 43% from 2019 to 2022. There is a rising prevalence of polypharmacy; patients are prescribed an average of 10.8 medications/day. These factors impacted discharge prescriptions complexity, creating additional demands on pharmacy services
Methods
The implementation of AI co-pilot technology transforms pharmacy workflows by enhancing operational efficiency while building digital capabilities in the pharmacy workforce, advancing NHG's smart healthcare vision. The study involved planning and setup, testing and refinement, and implementation and time motion studies.
Results
Average time savings per prescription ranges from -1.36 to 3.58 minutes with an average of 1.72 minutes per prescription. With an average of 185 inpatient discharges/day, the projected time savings/day = 5.3 hours, translating to a time saving of 0.88 Full-time equivalent. Total Cost Savings Per Annum ($): 80,500.00. High adoption rate with 63 unique users and 1,219 applications over 3 months with strong user acceptance (99.7% positive feedback, only 4 negative responses). Efficiency Gains: 17% reduction in processing time (~1.72 min saved per prescription) for discharge prescriptions. Safer care: Out of 1,219 utilisations, there are 0 false positive and 0 false negatives after excluding atypical
Conclusion
The implementation of AI co-pilot tools in discharge prescription processing has shown significant efficiency gains and cost savings while maintaining patient safety. Continued monitoring and adaptation are necessary to sustain these improvements.
Lessons Learnt
Varying staff approaches to AI tools affect efficiency and safety. Unlike other groups, Staff I showed an increase in processing time of 1.36 minutes (27%) as Staff I is in the early phases of familiarising with AI tools. This temporary slowdown is expected as new adopters tend to spend extra time checking their work. With continued practice, the staff's efficiency should improve as they become more confident with the AI-assisted workflow.
Keywords
AI, prescription, pharmacy, efficiency, discharge, processing
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Pharmacy |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Pharmacy |
Project Lead(s) | Tan Wei Qin, Tan Wei Qin, Sia Beng Yi, Rick Marco Guardian De la Paz, Lin Jiawen-Alicia |
Project Member(s) | Cheryl Chan Pui Yi |
Connect with this contributor!
Group Quality - nhggroup.QRM@nhghealth.com.sg