Authors (including presenting author) :
Lo SFJ (1), Patient Service Transition Workgroup (2), Nursing Service Department (3)
Affiliation :
Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong Hospital Authority
Introduction :
To maximize bed utilization capacity during move-in of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) was a huge challenge. Establishment of ‘All-in-one Bed Management System’ to bridge up patient beds in Old and New building was one of the top priorities of commissioning. It was a two years’ project lead by Nursing Service Department with the collaboration of clinical departments, administrative, IT and HAHO.
Objectives :
1. To develop a sustainable bed management system to secure sufficient patient beds during Move-in. 2. To enhance the efficiency of patient admissions and to prevent access block. 3. To achieve annual plan target on bed opening.
Methodology :
Records review including ‘Bed compliment and schedule bed’, ‘Admission and discharge activities’, ‘Access block time slots’, configuration of ‘KWH Real-time bed utilization system’ and ‘KWH Overflow system’. HIRM and IT were invited to provide input on corporate regulation and system modification.
Configuration phase: 1. Created ‘Ward codes and bed inventory’ for new KWH according to approved new bed opening, bed space provision, agreed principle and timeline on IPAS configuration. 2.Modified exiting ‘Real-time bed utilization system’ to fit in move-in schedule, make sure patient admissions, occupancy rate and access block were monitored timely. 3. Advanced existing ‘Overflow System workflow and logistics’, secure admission ward priorities, reservation of e-bed for emergency use and fairness on workload. 4. Revisited ‘Mix-gender ward’ allocations according to new ward design and HAHO policy; balanced beds distribution for both genders to avoid gender related access block. 5. Established intra & inter-departmental supportive network to maximize bed capacity and to enhance patient safety.
Implementation phase: New ward codes and beds allocation were installed in HAHO inventory before move-in. Agreement on time line for system activation was reached among all stakeholders. Staff training and familiarization on system advancement was completed. Besides above bed management strategies, a reporting mechanism to closely monitor daily ward base move in exercise and clinical service provision was in-place.
Result & Outcome :
All beds transition from Old to New building and new beds opening were successfully completed. Bed number changes were under control with no irregularity. Clinical service was smoothly operated with no service interruption throughout move-in period. By ‘All-in-one Bed Management System’ strategies, project objectives were achieved that facilitated patient admission, bed assignment, occupancy monitoring and access block prevention.
