Reducing Wait Time for Hernia Operations
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement
National Healthcare Group
24 December 2025
To reduce the first visit SOC median wait time by 50% (median = 46 days) for the hernia patients over a 6-month period (i.e. The intervention shows promise for improving patient care by reducing wait times and increasing the number of patients seen.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 24 December 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Cost Saving, Time Saving, Productivity, Access To Care, Waiting Time
About this Content
Aims
To reduce the first visit SOC median wait time by 50% (median = 46 days) for the hernia patients over a 6-month period (i.e. aim to have wait time of 23 days or less).
Background
Wait time for hernia SOC and operation is acceptable but can be improved. Delays may lead to medical complications and leakage to out of cluster institutions - either private setting, overseas, or to other public institutions that are able to offer a short wait time. No central oversight for hernia patients treatment journey. No prospective data collection for quality improvement and research purposes.
Methods
PDSA 1: Briefing to GS senior staff meeting + Create Additional First Visit SOC Slots. PDSA 2A: List surgery according to surgeon preference. PDSA 2B: Distribute cases uniformly across department for OT slot.
Results
Baseline Wait Time from Date of Referral to First SOC Appointment Median = 46 days. Post-Intervention Median = 30 days. Target = 23 days. Average No. of Hernia Patients Seen increased from 3 patients per week to 9 patients per week.
Conclusion
The intervention shows promise for improving patient care by reducing wait times and increasing the number of patients seen.
Lessons Learnt
CPIP is not just for solving 'problems'. It can be used to achieve excellence. Efficiency alone is not enough. Stakeholder analysis requires other concerns to be addressed. In this case, it involves patient ownership and surgical load of individual surgeons. CPIP provides a structured way of communication to all stakeholders and management.
Additional Information
Sponsor: Adj A/Prof Glenn Tan Wei Leong (Head & Senior Consultant, General Surgery). Mentors: A/Prof Ng Wei Keong Alan (Emeritus/Senior Consultant, Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine), Asst Prof Abdul Kareem Saleem Ahmed (Consultant, General Surgery).
Keywords
Hernia, Wait Time, Cost Savings, Surgery
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | National Healthcare Group Polyclinics |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Surgery |
Project Lead(s) | Lo Hong Yee |
Project Member(s) | Vittal Sunil Pawar |
Connect with this contributor!
Group Quality - nhggroup.QRM@nhghealth.com.sg
Project Attachment
950_TTSH_2025_QI_Award_Reducing_Wait_Time_for_Hernia_Operations.pdf