Authors (including presenting author) :
Kwok SYP (1), Ng WW (1)
Affiliation :
OBS SOPD TYH
Introduction :
In traditional practice, all pregnant ladies are interviewed by clinic midwives in one to one fashion for detail history taking and wellbeing assessment. This booking interview took around 30 to 45 mins and mother usually spent time on recalling the memory. Some of them even needs to call their family to clarify. Questions like 1st menstruation age, last menstruation cycle, past obstetrical history and chickenpox status etc. took the longest time. Our team recognized the need to improve the patient journey time and staffing efficiency, a project for improving the booking workflow was initiated.
Objectives :
The primary objective of this CQI project is to reduce the time spent on patient interviews by implementing a pre-filled questionnaire system. This initiative aims to enhance the overall efficiency of patient care while maintaining the quality of information collected during the assessment.
Methodology :
1. Development of the Questionnaire: A comprehensive one-page questionnaire was designed to cover essential obstetric history and well-being assessment items. The questions were selected based on common concerns and needs identified in previous patient interviews.
2. Implementation: Patients were provided with the pre-filled questionnaires while waiting for their appointments. Nurses were trained to guide patients on how to complete the form and clarify any doubts regarding the questions.
3. Data Collection: Timing was recorded for both the traditional interview method and the new questionnaire approach. Feedback from both patients and nurses was collected to assess the effectiveness and user-friendliness of the new system.
Result & Outcome :
1. Time Savings: The new workflow resulted in an average time savings of 15-20 minutes per case, significantly enhancing overall clinic efficiency.
2. Patient Satisfaction: Preliminary feedback indicated that patients appreciated the opportunity to familiar and well prepared before the interview, leading to more thoughtful and accurate answers.
3. Nurse Efficiency: Nurses reported feeling less rushed during consultations, allowing for more meaningful interactions with patients.
