Page 186 - HA Convention 2015

Service Priorities and Programmes Free Papers

SPP7.2 Committed and Happy Staff 13:15 Room 221

Improved Quality and Efficiency of Patient Care and Enhanced Staff Engagement through a Collaborative
Process — Ward Renovation
Chan MKC, Pang SY, Tong SH, Tong YCG, Ng LKM, Yuen WC, Chan WT, To SH, Hui KLE
Department of Surgery, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals, Hong Kong

Introduction

Over 20 years of heavy utilisation, the physical conditions of the existing facilities of ward A8 have been deteriorated to an
undesirable state. In order to ensure safety and comfort of patients and staff, renovation for ward A8 was approved in 2012.
We take this opportunity to improve and re-design the ward storage system and facilities with input from ward staff’s opinion
so as to boost staff’s satisfaction and commitment.

Objectives

(1) To improve quality of patient care; (2) to benefit patients with improving facilities and services; (3) to strengthen safety
culture; (4) to optimise working environment; (5) to enhance daily operational efficiency on patient care; and (6) to increase
staff satisfaction and ownership through participation.

Tuesday, 19 May Methodology

(1) Involve all ward staff in preparatory phase (December 2012). (2) Set up a planning team with Advanced Practice Nurses
and senior Registered Nurses (January 2013). (3) Select and decide the areas for renovation according to the approved
budget (February 2013). (4) Collect staff opinion on the design of ward storage system (February 2013). (5) Conduct detailed
observatory study on staff daily workflow (February 2013). (6) Re-design ward storage system to enhance daily operation
efficiency, e.g., medication corner, dressing corner, computer corner, etc. (March 2013). (7) Prepare the ward design draft
according to staff’s suggestion and observatory findings for staff to comment (March 2013). (8) Consolidate, revise and
finalise the ward design plan according to the comments from ward staff, hospital working group and contractors (June
2013). (9) Ensure patient safety during ward decanting to ward B6 (29 June 2013). (10) Closely monitor the progress and
outcome of renovation works (July to September 2013). (11) Ensure the completion of major works by contractors according
to the pre-set schedule (September 2013). (12) Ensure patient safety when moving back to ward A8 (26 September 2013). (13)
Conduct “Time and Motion” study for common procedures (January 2014). (14) Conduct staff opinion survey to surgeons,
nurses and supporting staff on the project (January 2014).

Results

After moving back to ward A8 for three months, “Time and Motion Study” and “Staff Opinion Survey” were conducted. Under
the “Time and Motion Study”, 80 to 86.6% of time saving for preparation of common ward procedures can be achieved.
For “Staff Opinion Survey”, a set of questionaires was sent to all ward surgeons, nurses and supporting staff. 96.3% staff
yielded committment due to involvement, 88.9% agreed enhancement of daily operational efficiency and 88.9% agreed
strengthening of ward safety. Although ward renovation is a very complicated process and includes many steps to go
through, we take this chance to improve ward environment, patient safety and staff satisfaction. According to this project
experience, active staff involvement in the renovation process can enhance patient comfort, optimise working environment,
enhance daily operation efficiency, and enhance patient safety as well as staff satisfaction and commitment.

HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2015

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