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) :
KWOK SY(1), CHUI AKF(2), LI CM(1), TSENG CZS(1). CHUNG SHC(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, (2)Information Technology and Health Informatics Department, Hospital Authority Head Office
Introduction :
Traditionally, pulmonary function test (PFT) referral was a paper referral with its request form being sent to Respiratory Centre (RC) by porter or by fax. This may take days to arrive RC. Besides, the logistic was not visible and it possess a risk of loss of patient data during document transport. Thus, ward / OPD nurses needed to contact RC by phone to make sure that the appointment was successfully delivered. Yearly, RC received 899 to 1046 PFT referrals. This existing workflow was time-consuming and the massive phone enquiries decrease the efficiency of daily RC operation. In this way, PFT booking referral go electronic would be the solution of this issue. Therefore, inauguration of GCRS for PFT booking was proposed.
Objectives :
This project aims to increase the PFT referral workflow efficiency and its transparency. Thus, shorten the administration time and decrease number of phone enquiries. At the same time, it aims to eliminate risk of patient data loss during document transport and protect patient’s privacy
Methodology :
A CMS template and its print-out is designed with the cooperation with Information Technology and Health Informatics Department of Hospital Authority Head Office (HOIT & HI). Trial run in the CMS was performed by HOIT & HI. A designated printer is assigned for receiving the PFT referral. Different teaching materials was tailored made for different stakeholders, e.g., KWH doctors, KWH RC nurses, KWH ward nurses and OPD nurses, to make sure that all stakeholders understand the basic operation of this new service. Training is also provided to RC nurses to operate Simple-Receiving-End (SRE) for receiving PFT referral.
Result & Outcome :
The GCRS was officially launched on April 1 2023. Time to create a PFT referral was decreased from 5 minutes to 3 minutes. Time for RC Nurses to receive PFT referral was greatly shortened from longest 2 days to within seconds. Until Dec 31 2023, phone call enquiries was greatly decreased to less than 10 because staff can now check the arrangement status of the PFT appointment in CMS timely. All departments in KWH had adopted this new referral system with smooth operation.
