Reducing low social risk referrals to Medical Social Services
Care Process & Redesign
National University Health System Quality Improvement
National University Health System
31 December 2020
Reduce low social risk MSW referrals from 30% to 10% in Wards 11 and 12. Project improved efficiency and patient satisfaction in MSS referrals.
Year Submitted: 2020
Published Date: 31 December 2020
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Access To Care, Referral Rate, Risk Management, Quality Improvement, Job Effectiveness
About this Content
Aims
Reduce low social risk MSW referrals from 30% to 10% in Wards 11 and 12.
Background
35% of referrals to Medical Social Services (MSS) were deemed low-risk, delaying higher-priority cases.
Methods
Introduced triage tools, trained MSWs, educated staff, and streamlined workflows to prioritize referrals.
Results
Low-risk referrals reduced to 10%; delays for medium and high-risk cases eliminated.
Conclusion
Project improved efficiency and patient satisfaction in MSS referrals.
Lessons Learnt
Workflow improvements succeeded with stakeholder education, communication, and staff empowerment.
Keywords
Low-Risk Referrals, Social Services, Triage Tools, Workflow Efficiency, Staff Training
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | Ng Teng Fong General Hospital |
Platform(s) | National University Health System Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Geriatric Medicine, Neurology, Medical Social Workers |
Project Lead(s) | Lim Boon Chee |
Project Member(s) | Chew Tee Kit |
Connect with this contributor!
Lim Boon Chee - boon_chee_lim@nuhs.edu.sg
Project Attachment
C_242_NTFGH_QM_2020_Reducing_low_social_risk_referrals_to_Medical_Social_Services.pdf