Authors (including presenting author) :
Ip SY(1), Lui YS(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Central Nursing Division, Prince of Wales Hospital
Introduction :
Ward setting standardization (WSS) is essential for enhancing clinical operational efficiency and patient safety. It aims to create a consistent ward setup, facilitating smoother navigation for patients, staff, and visitors. The foundation for WSS was established in 2010, with reference material outlining common items setup; however, it was primarily email circulated among nursing managers before periodic compliance assessments. A concerning trend had emerged: compliance rates dropped from 96.06% in 2020 to 90.08% in 2021, and further to 88.93% in 2022. This decline highlighted the urgent need for a thorough review and enhancement of WSS practices.
Objectives :
This project aimed to enhance WSS practices by developing a comprehensive implementation strategy to improve staff adherence, thereby fostering a safe healthcare environment and operational efficiency in wards.
Methodology :
Review & Consolidation: In 2022, the 2010 version WSS reference material and related hospital guidelines were reviewed, leading to the consolidation of 77 key norms and best practices across 7 domains: Medication Safety, Infection Control, Communication, Patient Safety, Staff Safety, Logistic Support, and Furniture & Equipment (F&E) Storage and Setup. Each domain established specific standards, including protocols for medication carts, gown-up and de-gown areas setup, etc. User-friendly Manual: A user-friendly manual was created, featuring detailed instructions and pictures to support staff understanding and implementation. It was made accessible on the Central Nursing Division (CND) intranet in 2023, allowing easy access by staff anytime. This manual is regularly updated according to changes in operations or guidelines. Auditing & Engagement: Frontline nursing managers were invited to serve as auditors during the annual assessments. This initiative aimed to familiarize staff with the manual, understand WSS principles and improve compliance. Regular meetings among departmental link nurses facilitated alignment and addressed implementation challenges, with progress on rectifications for non-compliance items reported. Assessment reports were uploaded to the CND intranet, and findings were shared in nursing meetings and forums to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Result & Outcome :
The revised WSS implementation strategy improved overall compliance rates: 94.26% in 2023 and 94.93% in 2024 (including medication safety & infection control). Regular manual updates have ensured the content remained relevant, collaborative efforts among departmental link nurses and frontline staff have strengthened communication and knowledge sharing, contributing to a safer ward environment. In conclusion, these strategic enhancements have boosted clinical operational efficiency and safety, demonstrating the value of standardized generic clinical setup. Moving forward, we have planned to extend this standardization practice to outpatient areas in the future.
