Authors: (including presenting author): :
WONG CHI HO
Affiliation: :
United Christian Hospital, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics
Keyword 2: :
Frontline-Driven
Keyword 3: :
Occupational Safety
Introduction: :
With the increasing adoption of Nursing Informatics (NI) systems, such as clinical dashboards, command centre display systems and electronic nursing documentation systems, multiple computers, keyboards and mice are required concurrently in ward settings. Limited physical space has resulted in cluttered workstations, reduced accessibility, and increased risks of equipment damage and loss. In addition, occupational safety and health (OSH) risks persist in daily clinical practice, particularly in post-injection needle handling. Conventional needle recapping devices are often not positioned in close proximity to the point of use, resulting in inconvenience during post-injection handling, low utilisation rates, and increased potential risk of needle stick injuries. This also contributes to disorganised injection trays and workflow inefficiency.
Objectives: :
To enhance workflow efficiency and occupational safety in a busy ward through the development of frontline-designed, low-cost, user-centred and highly customised point-of-care 3D-printed solutions that address space constraints, equipment accessibility and safe needle handling practices.
Methodology: :
This frontline-led project utilised in-house design and 3D printing technology to develop a series of customised clinical accessories, including keyboard holders, mouse holders and wall-mounted holders for ketone testing bottles, aiming to optimise space utilisation and improve workflow efficiency.
In addition, a 3D-printed needle recapping device was designed to be securely clipped onto injection trays, ensuring immediate accessibility during medication preparation and needle handling. The device incorporated storage for commonly used items such as micropore tape to encourage habitual use.
All designs prioritised ease of access, workflow integration, OSH principles and compatibility with existing ward equipment. User feedback was actively collected during daily clinical use, enabling rapid modification, reprinting and iterative refinement of designs to better fit actual workflows and user preferences.
Result & Outcome: :
The 3D-printed solutions effectively reduced workstation and injection tray clutter, improved accessibility of frequently used clinical tools, and enhanced organisation during daily nursing activities. Nursing staff reported smoother workflows, reduced time spent repositioning or searching for equipment, and improved consistency in needle handling practices during medication preparation.
Notably, the improved accessibility and integrated design of the needle recapping device increased its utilisation frequency, contributing to better compliance with safe needle handling practices and reducing the potential risk of needle stick injuries.
Overall, the use of in-house 3D printing in ward settings provided a practical, cost-effective and innovative approach to addressing workflow inefficiencies and occupational safety challenges. This frontline-driven initiative enhanced workflow efficiency, promoted OSH compliance, improved staff experience, and demonstrated strong potential for wider adoption across other clinical settings.
