Redesigning Body Vest to Improve Patients Care
Care Process & Redesign
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
SingHealth
11 February 2026
The aims of this project were to redesign a body vest for restrained patients, save 50% of the nurses time in applying the. The redesigned body vest is more durable, comfortable, time-saving, and better preserves patients dignity.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 11 February 2026
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Product Evaluation, Product Development, Time Saving, Prototyping Resources
About this Content
Aims
The aims of this project were to redesign a body vest for restrained patients, save 50% of the nurses time in applying the body vest, and improve 30% of patients, families, and nurses experience with the application of the body vest.
Background
Body vests are widely used for older adults with cognitive impairments in hospitals. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in older adults with cognitive impairments, along with the use of body vests. However, patients had feedback that the current body vests were uncomfortable, restrictive, and humiliating. Nurses also mentioned that it was time-consuming to apply, easily removed, and torn by patients.
Methods
The project involved conducting four PDSA cycles, including global market research, pre-surveys, training, time motion studies, drafting prototypes, education and try-outs of prototypes, gathering feedback, and making improvements on prototypes.
Results
The final prototype was successfully redesigned within the scheduled timeline. A post-survey showed that 100% of patients, 79% of family, and 90% of nurses were satisfied and liked the design. The time motion study showed an average of 1 hour (91%) of nursing time saved and at least 3 manpower saved compared to the current body vest restrainer. Cost savings of 76% were achieved with the redesigned body vest.
Conclusion
The redesigned body vest is more durable, comfortable, time-saving, and better preserves patients dignity. With the emerging aging population, quality improvement of restrainers would bring about a significant impact on patient care.
Lessons Learnt
The project highlighted the importance of iterative design and feedback from users to improve the product effectively.
Keywords
Body vest, Patient care, Nursing, Time saving, Quality improvement
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Changi General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Geriatric Medicine |
Project Lead(s) | Rachel Ling |
Project Member(s) | Ma Chong Yan |
Connect with this contributor!
Singapore Healthcare Management Secretariat - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg
Project Attachment
1121_CGH_SHM_2025_Redesigning_Body_Vest_to_Improve_Patient_s_Care.pdf