To Streamline the Work Process of Retrieving Patients Personal Belongings from SDA Centre to Ward
Care Process & Redesign
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
SingHealth
11 February 2026
To reduce the waiting time for SSW patients to retrieve their personal belongings post-operatively in the ward from an. The initiative was eventually rolled out to all patients admitted from SDA Centre in October 2024, with the final prototype property.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 11 February 2026
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Workflow Redesign, Cost Saving, Time Saving, Operational Management, Inventory Management
About this Content
Aims
To reduce the waiting time for SSW patients to retrieve their personal belongings post-operatively in the ward from an average of 46 minutes to 0 minutes within 12 months.
Background
Short Stay Ward (SSW) at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) provides post-operative care for patients undergoing day surgeries and short-stay procedures. A smooth and efficient workflow for managing patients and their personal belongings is essential to ensure patient satisfaction.
Methods
Fishbone Diagram was used to identify the root causes of the problem. Pareto Chart was applied to identify and select the significant root causes. Tree Diagram was used to select the best solution, using criteria and scoring system.
Results
Patient's waiting time to retrieve their belongings in the ward reduced from median 45.7 mins to 0 mins after the implementation of patient's property bag.
Conclusion
The initiative was eventually rolled out to all patients admitted from SDA Centre in October 2024, with the final prototype property bag customized with an additional layer of foam to cushion patient's belongings and appropriate size to fit securely under different models of OT trolleys.
Lessons Learnt
Feedback received from MOT staff that the position of property bags hinders staff and trolley movement. After much discussion, the property bags were relocated underneath the trolley.
Keywords
patient belongings, workflow, portering, efficiency, cost saving
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Singapore General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | General Medicine, Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Chen Min |
Project Member(s) | Tan Shi Wei |
Connect with this contributor!
Singapore Healthcare Management Secretariat - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg