Smart Ward: Transforming Healthcare Through One Care Team and Innovation
Care Process & Redesign
Workforce Transformation
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
8 December 2025
The aim of the Smart Ward is to improve access to care and quality of care through coordinated care that streamlines the. Smart Ward's modular system seamlessly integrates new work processes and emerging technologies, providing proof-of-value in a real.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 08 December 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Workforce Transformation, Workflow Redesign, Digitalisation, Job Redesign, Upskilling, Digital Workforce
About this Content
Aims
The aim of the Smart Ward is to improve access to care and quality of care through coordinated care that streamlines the delivery of patient care based on patients' needs from admission to discharge and early intervention through early detection of deterioration.
Background
Singapore's healthcare system faces unprecedented challenges in the wake of Covid-19, exacerbating pre-existing issues of bed shortages, extended wait times, and a critical manpower crunch. The nation is grappling with a relentless rise in acute care service utilization, primarily driven by its rapidly ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.
Methods
Smart Ward, launched in February 2023, serves as a real-world testbed for Ward without Walls (WoW) innovations. It evaluates these initiatives at a system level, assessing their impact and value when integrated with existing processes. Patients actively participate in experiencing and co-creating innovations, while the Smart Ward team orchestrates their integration.
Results
The clinical reviews resulted in improvement in overall safety and quality indicators. While falls, medication errors, and clinical incidents were reduced, the number of good catches preventing the occurrence of incidents increased. Patient satisfaction score for Smart Ward is higher as compared to Control Ward. Staff satisfaction also improved with positive feedback received.
Conclusion
Smart Ward's modular system seamlessly integrates new work processes and emerging technologies, providing proof-of-value in a real ward setting. This future-proof model facilitates continuous innovation while proactively addressing implementation barriers.
Lessons Learnt
The introduction of Principal Nurse (PN) and Principal Nurse Leader (PNL) roles has significantly transformed the nursing workforce, addressing issues of care fragmentation and delays in decision-making. The job redesign empowers experienced nurses to be upskilled to take on expanded responsibilities.
Keywords
Workforce Transformation, Nursing, Upskilling, Care & Process Redesign
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Synapxe |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Healthcare Administration, Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Allied Health, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Healthcare Administrators, Operations, Medical, General Medicine, Nursing |
Project Lead(s) | Lim Mei Ling |
Project Member(s) | Jessica Wong Chor Kwan |
Connect with this contributor!
Lim Mei Ling - mei_ling_lim@ttsh.com.sg
Project Attachment
826_TTSH_NHIP_2025_Smart_Ward_Transforming_Healthcare_Through_One_Care_Team_and_Innovation.pdf