Streamlining Processes for Initial Clinical Assessments: Enhancing Efficiency In An Integrated Home Health and Home Hospice Service
Care Continuum
Technology
AIC Community Care Excellence Awards
Agency for Integrated Care - Intermediate and Long Term Care
31 December 2024
Improve efficiency by reducing or automating the number of tasks clinical teams perform during initial clinical assessments. Sustainability involves monitoring adherence, refining automation processes, and using the model as a reference for other agencies.
Year Submitted: 2024
Published Date: 31 December 2024
Tags: Technology, Care Continuum, Digitalisation, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Home Care
About this Content
Aims
Improve efficiency by reducing or automating the number of tasks clinical teams perform during initial clinical assessments by 20%, decrease time spent during initial home visits, and improve staff satisfaction by reducing workload.
Background
Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) integrated its home health and palliative care services into one entity. The integration led to process duplication and increased workload, requiring improvements in efficiency.
Methods
Automation and digitalization were implemented to reduce manual documentation and task duplication. Affinity diagrams and the Eisenhower Matrix were used to prioritize changes.
Results
All nurses completed home health and palliative assessments within 2 hours (previously 25% exceeded this time). 50% completed assessments in 1 hour or less. A 20% reduction in tasks was achieved. 100% of nurses agreed the changes were effective, with 69% reporting high satisfaction.
Conclusion
Sustainability involves monitoring adherence, refining automation processes, and using the model as a reference for other agencies seeking to streamline home care services.
Lessons Learnt
Continuous engagement with staff and digitalization are key to reducing administrative strain and improving efficiency.
Keywords
Process Streamlining, Automation, Initial Clinical Assessment
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | Agency for Integrated Care - Intermediate and Long Term Care |
Organization(s) Involved | Methodist Welfare Services |
Platform(s) | AIC Community Care Excellence Awards |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Ancillary Care, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Geriatric Medicine, Palliative Medicine, Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Shi Yun Melissa FONG |
Project Member(s) | Yan Chew CHONG |
Connect with this contributor!
Annie Then - anniethen@mws.sg