Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service I (Projects aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery to meet international standards)
Authors (including presenting author) :
WONG CL(1), HO KWE(1), Law YK(1), Tai KK(1), Siu WL(1), Tang KY(1), Hui ST(1), So YS(1), Cheung TP(2), Wong PS(2), Tsang LF(2), Tsang WY(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital (2) Nursing Services Division, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
Efficient patient discharge processes are vital for optimizing healthcare resources and improving patient outcomes. This abstract presents a program implemented in an inpatient ward that harnesses the power of the HA Command Centre system to facilitate early patient discharge before 1 pm each day. The program aimed to increase the rate of patients discharged before the target time by streamlining the discharge process and leveraging real-time monitoring capabilities offered by the Command Centre system.
Objectives :
The primary objective of this program was to improve patient flow and enhance efficiency in the discharge process by utilizing the HA Command Centre system. Specifically, the program aimed to increase the percentage of patients discharged before 1 pm from the baseline rate of approximately 13% to a higher target rate.
Methodology :
The program involved close collaboration between ward nurses, case doctors, and the HA Command Centre system. Each day, ward nurses screened patients to identify potential candidates for discharge or transfer to a convalescent hospital. Communication with case doctors occurred at 9:00 am and 10:00 am, respectively, ensuring early assessment of patients before 10:30 am. This facilitated timely preparation of medications and completion of discharge summaries by 11:00 am. The HA Command Centre system was utilized to monitor patient flow, identify bottlenecks, and facilitate seamless transitions from the ward to the discharge lounge and convalescent hospital.
Result & Outcome :
The implementation of the program, with the support of the HA Command Centre system, yielded significant improvements. Prior to the program, the rate of patients discharged before 1 pm was approximately 13%. However, after the program's implementation, the rate increased significantly to over 28%. This substantial improvement demonstrated the effectiveness of the program in expediting patient discharges and achieving the desired objective. Conclusion: The implementation of a program that leverages the HA Command Centre system to facilitate early patient discharge in an inpatient ward has shown promising results. By adopting a systematic approach, involving close coordination between healthcare professionals and utilizing real-time monitoring capabilities offered by the Command Centre system, the program successfully increased the rate of patients discharged before the target time. These outcomes contribute to improving overall healthcare efficiency, optimizing resources, and enhancing patient experiences. Continued utilization of the HA Command Centre system, along with continuous monitoring and improvement initiatives, can further enhance patient discharge processes and drive even greater improvements in healthcare delivery.
