Projects

Timely well baby nursery discharges

Project Categories

Care Process & Redesign

Platform

National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals

Cluster

National University Health System

31 December 2024

Increase the number of eligible newborn discharges by 11:30 AM from 18.5% to 60% within six months. The intervention successfully improved discharge timeliness.

Year Submitted: 2024
Published Date: 31 December 2024

Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Value Based Care, Discharge Planning, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign

About this Content

Aims

Increase the number of eligible newborn discharges by 11:30 AM from 18.5% to 60% within six months.

Background

Only 8 out of 531 babies (1.6%) were discharged before 11:30 AM between October 2021 and March 2022. Delayed discharges increased hospital resource strain and exposure to iatrogenic harm.

Methods

Implemented structured workflow redesign, including nurse-led discharges and standardized nursery discharge workflows across private and subsidized wards.

Results

The percentage of timely discharges increased to 92.4%, saving an estimated $60,216 monthly. Workflow standardization ensured sustainability.

Conclusion

The intervention successfully improved discharge timeliness. Future refinements will enhance integration across departments.

Lessons Learnt

Nurse-led discharges improved efficiency and patient turnover, reducing unnecessary delays.

Keywords

Nurse-Led Discharge, Neonatology, Workflow Optimization, Quality Improvement

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)	Nursing, Medical
Applicable Specialty or Discipline	Neonatology, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Project Lead(s)	Low Jia Ming
Project Member(s)	Jann Adriel Chua Sy Danielle Chong Clio Lim Wern Gosavi Arundhati Tushar Leta Loh Linda LM Lim Suzana Abdul Rahman Siti Ihdinaa Rooslee Celeste Yong Geraldine Moey May Chong

Connect with this contributor!

Low Jia Ming - Jia_ming_low@nuhs.edu.sg (opens in new tab)

Project Attachment

425_NUH_NHIP_2024_Timely_well_baby_nursery_discharges.pdf (opens in new tab)