Authors (including presenting author) :
LAM TCC(1), YIP CK(1), WONG TL(1), POON WS(1), CHENG KF(1), CHOW TL(1), CHUNG WK(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
The intra- and inter-hospital patient transfer is an important aspect of patient care which is often undertaken to improve upon the existing management of the patient. It may involve transfer of patient within the department or other department or other hospital for any specialty care or with more advanced care. The main aim in all such transfers is to maintain the continuity and high quality of care.
In the past, the intra-department bed booking logistic is by phone call communication. Staffs need to keep on making phone calls to update patient’s condition and ask for bed availability. In order to minimize unnecessary phone calls and strive for an organized bed booking workflow, an electronic bed booking system via HA Ward Place was implemented since November 2023.
Objectives :
1. To enhance close-loop communication between wards via electronic platform.
2. To streamline operation by e-handover and enhancing continuity of care.
3. To manage transfer-in request via electronic platform
Methodology :
“Bed Status” via HA Ward Place for intra-department bed booking within Department of Medicine was implemented since November 2023. The outcome was measured in terms of staff usage experience and reduction of administration time for phone call communication with approximately 420 intra-departmental transfer out cases per month by average from admission wards.
Result & Outcome :
Positive user experience from nurse IC was shared as it has streamlined the operation by means of e-handover and better communication within wards.
Approximately 21 hours per month of administrative time for phone call communication (~3 mins/call) was reduced. A tidy and accurate record of transaction can also be kept with reduced miscommunication when compared with conventional method.
