Sleep Testing: Shifting from Hospital to Home
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
31 December 2020
To make sleep testing more accessible, affordable, and conducted in the comfort of patients’ homes. HST effectively reduced delays, improved access, and optimized resource allocation, demonstrating a scalable care delivery model.
Year Submitted: 2020
Published Date: 31 December 2020
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Care Continuum, Access To Care, Waiting Time, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Home Care, Operational Management, Financial Management, Resource Allocation, Right-Siting
About this Content
Aims
To make sleep testing more accessible, affordable, and conducted in the comfort of patients’ homes.
Background
Demand for sleep studies grew 11% annually since 2014, causing delays of up to 5.78 months for lab-based testing. Limited capacity necessitated shifting to Home Sleep Testing (HST).
Methods
Piloted HST, upskilled Patient Service Associates to train patients on device usage, freeing Sleep Technicians for technical tasks. Measured time savings and cost-effectiveness.
Results
Reduced wait times to 17 days for HST vs. 5.78 months for lab-based tests. 93 patients benefited. Freed 46.5 technician hours annually. Improved accessibility for patients unable to do lab-based testing.
Conclusion
HST effectively reduced delays, improved access, and optimized resource allocation, demonstrating a scalable care delivery model.
Lessons Learnt
Financial models must align with clinical initiatives. Patient education and engagement are critical for adoption. Upskilling staff improves efficiency and workforce satisfaction.
Additional Information
Value-added care model aligning clinical needs with patient convenience.
Keywords
Care Redesign, Workforce Transformation, Right Siting, Timely Diagnosis, Patient Access, Home Sleep Testing, Sleep Disorders, Medical Services
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Respiratory Therapy, Intensive Care Medicine |
Project Lead(s) | Lee Chuen Peng |
Project Member(s) | Tan Geak Poh |
Connect with this contributor!
Dr Lee Chuen Peng - chuen_peng_lee@ttsh.com.sg
Project Attachment
344_TTSH_NHIP_2020_Sleep_Testing_Shifting_from_Hospital_to_Home_combine.pdf