Audits of Admissions at Emergency Departments of Public Hospitals and Duration of Patients' Stays

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Health (a) whether admissions at the emergency departments of public hospitals are audited and, if so, what are the findings; and (b) what percentage of patients admitted by emergency departments are discharged within two or fewer days.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health (MOH) does not specifically audit admissions at the emergency departments. However, patients at Emergency Departments (ED) are reviewed by senior doctors to assess if they are suitable for admission to hospital or the Extended Diagnosis and Treatment Units (EDTUs) for observation. MOH also monitors the profile of patients admitted at emergency departments. From January to May 2023, about 20% of adult patients admitted at EDs are discharged within two or fewer days and this figure has been decreasing over the years.