Revitalising the Post-Alveolar Bone Graft Diet for Patients with Clefts by The MasterClefts
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
SingHealth
31 December 2024
Upgrade the hospital menu to ensure every meal is nutritionally balanced and varied while minimizing wound complications. The project successfully improved dietary compliance and patient satisfaction.
Year Submitted: 2024
Published Date: 31 December 2024
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Value Based Care, Patient Satisfaction
About this Content
Aims
Upgrade the hospital menu to ensure every meal is nutritionally balanced and varied while minimizing wound complications. Develop caregiver resources in English and Chinese.
Background
Patients with clefts require alveolar bone grafting (ABG) at ages 9-14. They must consume a soft diet post-surgery, but hospital meals were unappetizing and nutritionally inadequate. Patients frequently ignored dietary guidelines, yet wound complications remained low.
Methods
Speech therapists, dietitians, and catering staff conducted food-tasting sessions to improve the hospital menu. Caregiver resources, including a video and booklet, were created to support meal preparation.
Results
Food variety and preparation methods were improved, and resources were made available in English and Chinese. Caregiver-reported satisfaction increased (75% found video and booklet helpful). Food-related wound complications decreased from 12% to 9%.
Conclusion
The project successfully improved dietary compliance and patient satisfaction. Future efforts will focus on sustaining the menu improvements and sharing best practices with international cleft teams.
Lessons Learnt
Standardized post-ABG dietary planning enhances patient adherence. Offering culturally adapted dietary resources supports better caregiver engagement.
Keywords
Post-Surgery, Nutrition, Food Tasting, Patient Satisfaction, Caregiver Support, Cleft Palate, Dietetics
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Sengkang General Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Nursing, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Dermatology, Surgery, Dental / Dentistry, Nutrition ＆ Dietetics, Speech Therapy |
Project Lead(s) | Selena Ee-Li Young |
Project Member(s) | Yulanda Heng Kiat |
Connect with this contributor!
Ms Yulanda Heng - Yulanda.Heng.Kiat@kkh.com.sg
Project Attachment
1013_KKH_NHIP_2024_Revitalising_the_Post_Alveolar_Bone_Graft_Diet_for_Patients_with_Clefts.pdf