Hospital Patient Admission Procedures

Unit 2: Perform Patient Admission

2.1 Types of Admission

• Unplanned (Urgent) Admission:
  • Patient arrives at the hospital in their own transport or by ambulance
  • Admitted through the emergency department
  • Triage nurse assesses the patient's condition and provides first aid
  • Waiting time depends on the severity of the patient's condition, availability of medical personnel, and the busyness of the emergency department
• Planned Admissions:
  • Elective Admission:
    • Scheduled admission for a planned medical procedure or surgery
    • Usually pre-arranged by a physician or surgeon
    • Patient is given a specific date and time for admission
  • Direct Admission:
    • Patient is admitted directly to a hospital bed without going through the emergency department
    • Admitted by a physician or by self-referral, based on the patient's medical condition
  • Transfer Admission:
    • Patient is transferred from another facility or hospital

2.2 Types of Communication Models in Healthcare Setting

• SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) Communication Model:
  • Purpose: Allow staff to communicate assertively and effectively, reduce repetition, and minimize errors
  • Structure: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation
  • Used for: Communication between healthcare professionals, patients, and families
• REDE (Relationship, Establishment, Development, and Engagement) Communication Model:
  • Developed by Cleveland Clinic
  • Focuses on three primary phases: Establishment, Development, and Engagement
  • Phase 1: Establish the relationship (create a safe environment, convey value and respect, provide assistance, and display empathy)
  • Phase 2: Develop the relationship (listen reflectively, use open-ended questions, and gather the patient's perspective)
  • Phase 3: Engage the relationship (share diagnosis and information, provide closure, and comfort the patient)

2.3 Qualities and Characteristics of a Positive Interaction and Experience

• Patient-First Mindset:
  • Prioritize the patient's needs
  • Ensure patient's needs are met
  • Go out of the way to ensure patient satisfaction
• Positive Attitude:
  • Display enthusiasm and a "can-do" attitude
  • Be optimistic and cheerful
  • Put patients at ease
• Professional Competence:
  • Possess technical skills and knowledge
  • Have soft skills (communication, problem-solving, flexibility, interpersonal, and teamwork skills)
• People Orientation:
  • Connect with patients
  • Show personal interest and empathy
  • Be present, personable, and patient
• Basic Respect:
  • Respect patients' privacy and personal space
  • Consider patients' needs and differences
  • Show respect for patients' time and autonomy
• Resourcefulness:
  • Solve problems for patients
  • Find alternative solutions
  • Work around rules, when necessary
• Reliability:
  • Ensure safety and appropriateness
  • Provide effective and efficient care
  • Be accountable and dependable
• Personalized Responsiveness:
  • Understand patients' unique situations and preferences
  • Take into account patients' individual needs and expectations

2.4 Methods of Verification

• Pre-Registration Checks:
  • Verify patient's details with the information recorded on the system
  • Ensure financial counseling and relevant forms are signed and completed
  • Prepare necessary case files/folders for patient's admission
• Online Patient Verification:
  • Secure login
  • Verification codes
  • Biometric verification
• Offline Patient Verification:
  • Photo identification
  • Verification by healthcare staff

2.5 Importance and Objectives of Personal Data Protection Act

• Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2012:
  • Protects personal data in Singapore
  • Recognizes the rights of individuals to protect their personal data
  • Establishes a data protection law for the collection, use, disclosure, and care of personal data

2.6 Types of Patients' Personal Information

• Patients' personal information:
  • Identifying information
  • Financial information
  • Medical history

2.7 Procedures in Handling Deposits

• Deposit collection:
  • Required for patients opting for Private A/B1 wards
  • Amount varies depending on the type of case and ward chosen
  • Used to cover estimated hospital bills### Patient Admission and Deposit
• Patients who cannot pay the deposit should reconsider their ward choice.
• Exemptions from deposit payment: patients with a Letter of Guarantee from their employer in Singapore, patients covered by insurance, and foreigners/non-residents with a letter of guarantee from a local firm or insurance company.
• Patients with sufficient Medisave balance do not need to pay a deposit for subsidized wards.

Patient Information

• Identity: name, NRIC/FIN/passport number, contact number, email, emergency contact.
• Financial: MediSave, insurance, credit card.
• Medical: medical history, illnesses, allergies, medications.

Ward Types

• Private: Class A (team-based care, single room or up to 5 beds with attached bathroom).
• Subsidized: Class B1 (subsidized), Class B2 (team-based care, 6-12 beds with shared bathroom), Class C.

Obtaining Signature

• Methods: in-person signature, electronic signature, witness signature (for patients unable to sign due to physical or mental disability).

Bed Management System

• Features: real-time bed availability, bed movement tracking, staff alert feature, cleaning/disinfection request feature.
• Challenges: constant fluctuations in planned and emergency admissions, changes to planned discharge, patient preferences, infection control considerations.

Bed Booking and Facilities

• Process: order for admission, determine bed availability, confirm bed booking, coordinate with ward staff, inform patient and family.
• Pre-booking: elective admission beds are pre-booked the day prior to admission.

Hospital Policies on Change Requests

• Patients can request a change in ward type at any time, except in ICU or HDU.
• Requests are subject to ward availability, and patients may be placed on a waiting list.
• Upgrading/downgrading accommodation involves recalculating charges and obtaining patient acknowledgment.

Patient Transfer

• Procedures: verify patient information, coordinate with ward staff, transfer case file and belongings, introduce patient to ward staff.
• Roles of staff in charge: coordinating with healthcare providers, arranging transportation, maintaining confidentiality, providing support to patients and families.

This quiz covers the process of admitting patients to a hospital, including types of admission and procedures involved. Learn about the importance of admission in hospital services.