Implementation and evaluation of a pilot Match-A-Nurse programme to provide home-based care in Singapore

Abstract

Background: To enable our seniors to age in place and at home, healthcare needs to shift towards delivering care in the community while taking advantage of technology, to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of home-based nursing care. Home-based nursing care is also less expensive, more convenient and as effective as care received in a hospital. Methods: The pilot Match-A-Nurse programme linked discharged patients from two public hospitals in Singapore requiring home-based nursing care to nurses living or working close to them through a mobile application. Patients' requests are listed in the application which was developed by adopting a 'hybrid agile' framework for nurses to 'bid' for jobs. The concept is similar to a taxi booking application. Information on demographics, skills competency, services required, bidding frequency and patient and nurse satisfaction were collected and analysed. Results: The Match-A-Nurse programme was successfully implemented and was received positively by patients and nurses. Patients were satisfied with the time taken to confirm the visit, the quality of care and would recommend the programme to others. Nurses were also satisfied with the usability of the application and the level of support provided to them. In addition, patient's information can be readily accessed through the application. Conclusions: The technical feasibility and practical potential of this programme is evidenced by the nurses' and patients' willingness to participate, their satisfaction with the programme and the ability of the prototype mobile application to secure patient documentation, and the adherence of programme to the legal and insurance employment regulations in Singapore.