Streamlining Workflow & Improve Patients Throughput in Delivery Suite
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National University Health System
30 January 2026
To streamline workflow and improve patients' throughput in the Delivery Suite by assessing and improving turnaround times. The RIE successfully improved the efficiency and patient experience in the Delivery Suite, demonstrating the value of targeted process.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 30 January 2026
Tags: Care Continuum, Acute Care, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Access To Care, Turnaround Time, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign
About this Content
Aims
To streamline workflow and improve patients' throughput in the Delivery Suite by assessing and improving turnaround times (TaT), identifying critical gaps, setting targets for improvement, and developing creative solutions.
Background
The Delivery Suite at the National University Hospital is a critical area for maternity care, with high demand and a need for efficient processes. The average daily admission was 16.8, with 12.9 actual deliveries. In March 2022, 52% of patients were admitted from A&E, 33% from the Obstetrics ward, and 15% were walk-ins. The Length of Stay (LOS) in the Delivery Suite can range from 1 hour to 48 hours.
Methods
The Rapid Improvement Event (RIE) was conducted to assess and improve TaTs in the Delivery Suite. Solutions included setting a 1.5-hour upper limit for tasks post-delivery, implementing a 'crunch-time protocol' when the suite is near capacity, and re-establishing midwives' and MGYN nurses' accreditation for CTG interpretation.
Results
The TaTs improved for both induction of labour and spontaneous onset of labour. The Electronic Patient Experience Score (EPES) increased from 83.3% pre-RIE to 94.7% post-RIE.
Conclusion
The RIE successfully improved the efficiency and patient experience in the Delivery Suite, demonstrating the value of targeted process improvements.
Lessons Learnt
The implementation of efficient processes and protocols can significantly improve patient throughput and experience in high-demand areas like the Delivery Suite.
Keywords
Workflow, Throughput, Delivery Suite, Turnaround Time, Acute Care
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | National University Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration, Medical, Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Healthcare Administrators, Clinical Research, Operations, Medical, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nursing, Nursing Research |
Project Lead(s) | Sarah Li Wei Ling, Zelana Binte Mohd Fauzi Antoni Das |
Project Member(s) | Lim Tak Yein |
Connect with this contributor!
Sarah Li Wei Ling - sarah_wl_li@nuhs.edu.sg
Zelana Binte Mohd Fauzi Antoni Das - mohd_fauzi_antoni_das_zelana@nuhs.edu.sg
Karynn Hui - Karynn_hui@nuhs.edu.sg
Project Attachment
440_NUH_NHIP_2024_Streamlining_Workflow_Improve_Patients_Throughput_in_Delivery_Suite.pdf