Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong PLC(1), Hwang LM(1), Lee A(1), Wong WT (1), Chan WY(1), Chan CH(1), Cheng HW(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Palliative Home Care Team, Nursing Service Division, Tuen Mun Hospital, NTWC
(2) Medical Palliative Medicine (MPM) Team, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, NTWC
Introduction :
The transition to a paperless environment in the Medical Palliative Medicine (MPM) clinic aims to enhance operational efficiency while promoting eco-friendly practices. This initiative not only reduces paper waste but also streamlines patient record management, ultimately improving patient care. In recent years, the healthcare industry has increase recognize the importance of sustainable practices. The MPM clinic has initiated a project to go paperless since 1 April 2023, aligning with broader environmental goals and improving operational efficiency. This transition is essential in a digital age where electronic medical records can significantly reduce the reliance on paper, minimizing the clinic's ecological footprint.
Objectives :
The primary objective of this project in the MPM clinic was to decrease paper consumption by 30% within a year, promoting sustainable practices and enhancing workflow efficiency and fully usage of electronic medical records system. This will not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also enhance the efficiency of patient data management and improve overall patient care.
Methodology :
We implemented a multi-faceted approach that included transitioning to electronic health records (EHR), digitizing patient forms, encouraging digital communication in HA chat and reduce number of printers.
Staff training sessions were conducted to facilitate the adoption of these technologies, to ensure smooth adoption and minimize disruptions.
We established a monitoring system to track paper usage before and after implementation.
Result & Outcome :
After one year, the clinic achieved a 50% reduction in paper usage, exceeding the initial target. The transition to EHR streamlined patient data management, reducing administrative time and improving patient satisfaction. Feedback from staff indicated a positive reception to the new processes, with 100% reporting enhanced efficiency.
The project successfully demonstrated that reducing paper usage in a MPM clinic is feasible and beneficial. By leveraging technology and promoting a culture of sustainability, we not only minimized our environmental footprint but also improved operational effectiveness. Future efforts will focus on sustaining these gains and exploring further innovations in digital health.
