2024 IHF Awards

🏆 BRONZE

Mastercard Award for Hospital Operational Excellence

National University Hospital

Project DEAR Patient (Discharge Early And Rest Patient)

A 2021 NUH patient survey identified key areas for improvement in the discharge medication process, specifically focusing on wait times, updates, and collection procedures. In response, NUH assembled an inter-disciplinary team to reimagine and enhance the patient experience.

The team implemented several innovative solutions, including a multi-lingual educational video explaining the discharge process and pharmacy visits. They also introduced tele-counselling services for discharge medications, allowing patients to receive consultation before arriving at the pharmacy. Additionally, a new Pick-&-Go service was launched, enabling eligible patients to collect their medications without waiting for in-person counselling.

These initiatives yielded remarkable results by end-2022, with significant improvements across all measured metrics:

· Discharge medication wait time satisfaction increased by six percentage points to 94%

· Medication wait time update satisfaction improved from 81% to 89%

· Discharge medication collection process satisfaction showed the most substantial improvement, rising from 88% to 97%

This comprehensive approach to service enhancement demonstrates NUH's commitment to patient-centric care and continuous process improvement.

🏅 Honourable Mention

Dr Kwang Tae Kim Grand Hospital Award

National University Hospital

Embracing AI, Embracing the Future of Treatment

In 2023, NUH became Singapore's first hospital to adopt RapidAI, an innovative AI platform that revolutionised stroke care. The system analyses patients' CT scans within minutes, rapidly identify proportion of the brain that has been damaged and parts of the brain that can potentially be saved through medical intervention, and automatically alerting doctors. This technology empowers clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions, significantly reducing brain damage risk and improving patient outcomes.

Building on NUH's track record of healthcare innovation, the hospital's NUHS@Home programme has transformed patient care delivery since its pilot in 2020. The scheme, which enables patients to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their homes, has proven so successful that it has been adopted as a mainstream care model across Singapore's public healthcare system. Adopting a digital approach, NUH incorporates the use of the NUHS app to optimise patient journey for registrations and payments. The app is used by 85% of patients, and it empowers patients to actively participate in their health management including appointment booking, checking of test results, and accessing general health advice.

Together, these initiatives showcase NUH's commitment to leveraging technology for better patient care.

🏅 Honourable Mention

American Hospital Association Excellence Award for Healthcare Workers’ Wellbeing

National University Hospital

NUH Healthy Keto: Weight Loss for a Healthier You Programme

NUH's Chief Dietitian, Dr Lim Su Lin, pioneered an innovative healthy keto weight loss programme tailored for overweight staff and patients. This scientifically-designed programme enables safe weight loss while maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with health concerns and sedentary lifestyles, particularly those working long hours.

The comprehensive six-month programme integrates cutting-edge technology with personalised support, featuring digital health coaching, targeted workshops, and continuous guidance from NUH dietitians through a dedicated mobile application. This tech-enabled approach ensures participants receive consistent support and monitoring throughout their weight loss journey.

The programme's effectiveness is demonstrated through impressive outcomes: participants achieved an average weight loss of 7.8 kilograms over six months. Beyond weight reduction, many participants experienced significant improvements in their health markers, including better management of diabetes and blood pressure, showcasing the programme's holistic impact on overall health.