Projects

Smart Bin – Safer, Reliable and Accurate

Project Categories

Care Process & Redesign

Technology

Platform

National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals

Cluster

SingHealth

31 December 2017

To eliminate wrong drug picking errors and enhance patient safety in the SGH outpatient pharmacy. The Smart Bin system significantly improved drug picking accuracy and reduced medication near misses, aligning with safety goals.

Year Submitted: 2017
Published Date: 31 December 2017

Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Technology, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Value Based Care, Safe Care, Adherence Rate, Productivity, Cost Saving, Risk Management, Preventive Approach, Digital Health, Sensors, Digitalisation, Automation, Robotics/Autonomous Systems

About this Content

Aims

To eliminate wrong drug picking errors and enhance patient safety in the SGH outpatient pharmacy.

Background

The SGH Outpatient Pharmacy handles a high volume of prescriptions, posing risks of medication errors.

Methods

Implemented a Smart Bin system with LED-guided picking and locking mechanisms, supported by FMEA and training protocols.

Results

Reduced wrong drug picking errors by 93.8%; improved picking accuracy to 99.997%; increased staff satisfaction and reduced healthcare costs.

Conclusion

The Smart Bin system significantly improved drug picking accuracy and reduced medication near misses, aligning with safety goals.

Lessons Learnt

Innovative technology combined with standard operating procedures ensures safety and efficiency.

Additional Information

Singapore Healthcare Management 2021 – Best Practice Medal (Technology & Safety).

Keywords

Technology, Safety, Patient Safety, Workflow Redesign, Medication Error, Smart Bin System.

Innovators' Details

Healthcare Cluster(s)	SingHealth
Organization(s) Involved	Singapore General Hospital
Platform(s)	National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
Healthcare Professional Group(s)	Healthcare Administration, Pharmacy
Applicable Specialty or Discipline	Healthcare Administrators, Pharmacology
Project Lead(s)	Wong Jane Ai
Project Member(s)	Wong JA Chiong SH Shek PY Tan SK Tay PLY Gui HS Lee HL Kam HM Ng J Sekaran RD Tan BS Seah SE Tan MC Lee SB Lim MM

Connect with this contributor!

Wong Jane Ai - wong.jane.ai@sgh.com.sg

Project Attachment

NHIP_2_SGH_Smart_Bin_Safer_Reliable_and_Accurate_combine.pdf