Sit Out of Bed in a Surgical Unit of an Acute Care Hospital: A Quality Improvement Project
31 December 2019
Project Categories
Care Process & Redesign
Platform
National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement
Cluster
National Healthcare Group
To increase the percentage of eligible patients who meet “Sit out of bed” target from baseline median of 20% to 100% in 6. Achieved targets; changes became standard practice with reduced monitoring.
Year Submitted: 2019
Published Date: 31 December 2019
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Clinical Practice Improvement, Workflow Redesign
About this Content
Aims
To increase the percentage of eligible patients who meet “Sit out of bed” target from baseline median of 20% to 100% in 6 months for post-operative patients not under the ERAS protocol in Ward 11D.
Background
Early ambulation post-surgery reduces complications like muscle loss, pneumonia, and DVT. Compliance was low among post-operative non-ERAS patients.
Methods
Used Quality Planning Tools (Flowcharts, Pareto charts, etc.). Root causes identified: competing nurse priorities and lack of family education. Interventions: standardized nursing schedules and pictorial education for families.
Results
Compliance improved from baseline 20% to 100%, sustained over 2019. Reduced patients needing rehabilitation (7 to 2), avoiding transfer of 5 patients to rehab. Cost avoidance achieved.
Conclusion
Achieved targets; changes became standard practice with reduced monitoring. Improved patient care and staff competency.
Lessons Learnt
Leadership, teamwork, and staff assertion are critical. Workflow changes require time and persistence to sustain.
Additional Information
Received 2019 NHG Quality Improvement Award – Service Redesign and Delivery (Best Award).
Keywords
Care Redesign, Clinical Improvement, Workflow Improvement, Post-Operative Care, Early Ambulation, Nursing, Quality Improvement, TTSH
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Nursing, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Intensive Care Medicine, Surgery |
Project Lead(s) | K Suvaseni & U Amutha Valli |
Project Member(s) | Zhang Yabo |
Connect with this contributor!
Ms K Suvaseni - Suvaseni_kunjuraman@ttsh.com.sg