When 2 Become 1
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
SingHealth
2 February 2026
1) Assessed current trends on usage of surgical instruments in PC set & removed rarely used instruments. Our team finds the results sustainable as the 2 in 1 set utilizes less consumables & utilities in the processing.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 02 February 2026
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Operational Management, Inventory Management, Productivity, Cost Saving, Quality Improvement, Lean Methodology, Workflow Redesign
About this Content
Aims
1) Assessed current trends on usage of surgical instruments in PC set & removed rarely used instruments. 2) Modify the current surgical instrument tray arrangement to accommodate all instruments from two separate sets into a single set. 3) To assure safe usage and quality assurance, two-in-one sets have to pass three rounds of negative biological indicator testing. 4) Trial use of the new 2 in 1 sets and gathered verbal feedback from staff. 5) Conducted a survey on the evaluation of 2 in 1 set after new configuration post verbal feedback to attain any further feedback/improvements.
Background
Theatre Sterile Supply Unit (TSSU) has difficulty coping with the reprocessing of multiple surgical sets needed for the rapid turnaround & long surgical cataract list. The issue is further complicated by the tight manpower and limited storage space in TSSU sterile store.
Methods
A Define, Measure, Analyzing, Improving and Control (DMAIC) methodology was used to explore the solution to combine PC/Phaco Handpiece set over the previous standalone PC and Phaco Handpiece set.
Results
Results showed that staff efficiency rate increased by 14% with handling 2 in 1 sets. 2 in 1 sets reaped cost savings of 37.4% to the department. Achieved a 100% staff satisfaction rate post-implementation.
This 2 in 1 set is also currently being implemented in Sengkang General Hospital - EYE OT for one of their eye sets. Other impacts seen: Less sets being overloaded onto the trolley during the transfer from the sterile store to the theater, lowering the likelihood of instruments falling off and sustaining damage.
Conclusion
Our team finds the results sustainable as the 2 in 1 set utilizes less consumables & utilities in the processing.
Lessons Learnt
The implementation of 2 in 1 set and the removal of infrequently used instruments have reduced workload and saved cost, time, and storage space.
Keywords
TSSU, surgical sets, manpower, storage space, Lean principles, cost savings
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Singapore National Eye Centre |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Medical, Ophthalmology, Nursing, Nursing Research |
Project Lead(s) | Wilson Cynthia Francisca |
Project Member(s) | Lim Shu Meng |
Connect with this contributor!
Wilson Cynthia Francisca - wilson.cynthia.francisa@snec.com.sg