Projects

Palliative Response Team: Increasing Compassionate Discharges (ComD) Success

Project Categories

Care Continuum

Platform

National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals

Cluster

National University Health System

31 December 2024

To increase the number of successful compassionate discharges (ComD) for terminally ill patients by improving after-hours. Successfully improved end-of-life care through timely, compassionate discharges, reducing hospital costs and honoring patient wishes.

Year Submitted: 2024
Published Date: 31 December 2024

Tags: Care Continuum, End-Of-Life Care, Palliative Care

About this Content

Aims

To increase the number of successful compassionate discharges (ComD) for terminally ill patients by improving after-hours support.

Background

Many patients desire to pass away at home, but delays in discharge and limited hospice support prevent this from happening.

Methods

Formed a multidisciplinary Palliative Response Team (PRT); provided after-hours support and standardized discharge protocols.

Results

Achieved 64 successful ComDs with 100% of patient wishes to die at home honored; average length of stay reduced by 3.5 days.

Conclusion

Successfully improved end-of-life care through timely, compassionate discharges, reducing hospital costs and honoring patient wishes.

Lessons Learnt

Collaboration and standardization of care were critical; after-hours support addressed patient needs effectively.

Additional Information

Ongoing monitoring and refinement of protocols to maintain success.

Keywords

Palliative Care, Compassionate Discharge, End-of-Life Care, Hospice Support, Cost Savings

Innovators' Details

Healthcare Cluster(s)	National University Health System
Organization(s) Involved	Alexandra Hospital
Platform(s)	National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
Healthcare Professional Group(s)	Ancillary Care, Pharmacy, Nursing
Applicable Specialty or Discipline	Palliative Medicine
Project Lead(s)	Tan Poh Hoon
Project Member(s)	Tan Li Ping Nur Sa'idah Binti Jalani Radin Nur Faridah Binte Ali Myint Myint Than Theresa Heng Kelly Lai Siti Raihana Binte Mohamed Shariff Janet Lam Yong Woon Chai Thi Phuong Tu Pham Golda Wang Irene Chen

Connect with this contributor!

Tan Poh Hoon - poh_hoon_tan@nuhs.edu.sg

Project Attachment

401_AH_NHIP_2024_Palliative_Response_Team_Increasing_Compassionate_Discharges_ComD_Success.pdf