Authors (including presenting author) :
Suen PN(1), Chan WT(1), Chau MY(1), Ho KWE(1), Law YKB(1), Wong CL(1), Tsang WY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
To improve wound product management in an acute medical ward, we adopted the 5S management system, which emphasizes organization and efficiency. By implementing a QR code and color-coding system, we aim to streamline the storage and retrieval of wound dressings. The primary objective is to ensure that all staff can quickly locate the necessary supplies, thus enhancing workflow. Additionally, junior staff can easily access information about specific dressings through the QR codes, fostering a more efficient working environment and learning atmosphere.
Objectives :
1.Enhance Wound Product Management: Improve the organization, accessibility, and usability of wound care materials 2.Promote Standard of Care: Ensure consistent, high-quality wound care practices across the team 3.Empower Self : Build staff confidence and competence in wound care through self-directed learning. 4.Enhance Accessibility: Use color-coding for quick identification of materials and reduce search times.
Methodology :
1. 5S Implementation (a)Sort (整理): Assess and remove unnecessary wound dressing products from the cabinet, retaining only essential items to reduce clutter. (b)Set in Order (存放) : Systematically organize wound dressing products in labeled drawers, ensuring each type is easily accessible. Implement a color-coding system for quick identification: -RED: Inner dressings -YELLOW: Outer dressings -GREEN: Creams -BLUE: Solutions (c)Shine (清潔): Regularly clean and maintain the dressing cabinets to ensure a hygienic and organized environment. (d)Standardize (標準): Develop standard operating procedures for the organization and restocking of dressing materials, ensuring all staff follow the same protocols. (e)Sustain (修養): Encourage staff to maintain the organization system and conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with the 5S principles. 2. QR Code Integration Each drawer is equipped with a QR code that links to comprehensive product descriptions from the manufacturer. This allows staff to quickly access detailed information about each dressing material. 3. Staff Training Four briefing sessions were conducted for staff during the handover period, instructing them on the use of the color codes, QR codes, and the 5S methodology. Interviews were conducted with staffs who have less than five years of experience and frequently use the cabinets. The interviews focused on: -The time spent looking for dressing materials -Ease of use -Work efficiency -Overall satisfaction before and after setting up the dressing cabinets
Result & Outcome :
1. Time Efficiency : Staffs reported a significant reduction in the time spent searching for dressing materials after the implementation of the cabinets, with an average decrease of 5 minutes per search . 2. Ease of Use: Feedback indicated that the color-coding enhanced the ease of locating products, Around 70%of staffs found the color-coding system to be beneficial for identifying wound dressings and rated the information provided via QR codes as good or excellent. 3. Work Efficiency : Staffs observed an improvement in overall work efficiency, with 80% reporting that they could reduce the time spent searching for dressing materials, allowing them to provide nursing procedures more quickly. 4. Overall Satisfaction : The overall satisfaction level among staff increased from 60% before the cabinets were set up to 100% after. To conclude, by providing clear and intuitive identification tools, the initiative sought to enhance workflow efficiency while fostering a supportive and educational environment for all staff members. This visual categorization not only simplified product identification but also accelerated the selection process, improving workflow efficiency.
