Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong GWH, Lin SCN, Lee JKY, Woo CW, Leung KKL
Affiliation :
Physiotherapy Department, Kowloon Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Gymnasium training
Keyword 2: :
Gymnasium portering
Keyword 3: :
Electronic portering
Keyword 4: :
Portering system
Introduction :
Physiotherapy gymnasium portering at Kowloon Hospital traditionally relied on manual processes: daily whiteboard markings by physiotherapists, paper-based transcription by supporting staff, and clerical input for staff deployment. A daily average of 200 gymnasium attendance generated 400 portering trips. To foster smarter operational practices, a real-time electronic portering system was introduced, enabling physiotherapists to submit requests onto a synchronized spreadsheet shared via HA drive. Building on operational advancements introduced by the Rehabilitation Activities Management System(RAMS), the new system suggests potential transition towards mobile-based platforms and RAMS integration.
Objectives :
This study evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the real-time electronic portering system and explore the feasibility of mobile-based platform development.
Methodology :
This study was conducted in afternoon sessions in one gymnasium across three wards at Kowloon Hospital beginning in July 2025. Usage data and staff feedback were collected. Key performance indicators included portering coordination time, patient transport accuracy, and physiotherapists’ satisfaction. Comparative analysis was done against pre-implementation practices. Patient privacy standards were upheld with no additional risks.
Result & Outcome :
Real-time electronic portering system implementation resulted in significant staff administrative workload reduction. With an average of 46 portering requests per half-day in one gymnasium, average portering coordination time per half-day decreased by 94% for supporting staff(from 8.08 minutes to 0.5 minutes) and by 65% for clerical staff(from 15.5 minutes to 5.5 minutes). Time saved were allocated towards direct patient care, including to enhance patient safety and RAMS implementation to ensure “right patient, right treatment” for supporting staff, and to assist with smart patient care implementation for clerical staff. As manual transcription errors, previously averaging 3%, were eliminated, patient transport accuracy improved correspondingly. Timely updates on the synchronized spreadsheet further safeguarded patient safety by ensuring “right patient, right place”. Physiotherapists agreed that this simple-administered system ensured accurate and efficient patient portering.
Findings suggest operational improvements aligning with smart hospital framework goals and the potential of a real-time electronic portering system to streamline physiotherapy gymnasium workflow. Updating via mobile devices marks a meaningful step toward technology-supported coordination in patient care. This smart initiative drives digital workplace, reduces administrative burden, and ensures accurate and timely patient transport. Continued evaluation can guide the feasibility of developing a dedicated IT platform and integrating with existing platforms including RAMS.
