O-103 Workplace-Based Staff Health Screening: An Effective Nurse-Led Program to Increase Preventative Health Screening and Promote Health Among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Singapore

Introduction Chronic disease burden is increasing in Singapore, with earlier onset -- among those with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia (DHL), between 14.5% and 31.6% are aged 18-39 years. Chronic diseases result in disability and absenteeism, reducing income and work productivity. Screening is a valuable tool to (i) detect pre-clinical disease, allowing early interventions, and (ii) treat clinical disease early, reducing morbidity and mortality. Workplaces are a useful setting to encourage screening. Methods Collaborating with Human Resources (HR) and Operations, the Staff Clinic held a screening exercise among hospital workers from April-July 2023. Staff signed up online and registered under a separate queue at staggered times. Investigations were done within 10 minutes. Results were reflected online within 3 days. Those with borderline abnormalities were advised lifestyle modifications, while gross abnormalities warranted doctor’s consultation. HR bore screening and consultation costs. Results 36% (n=1763) of eligible staff attended screening. Mean age was 31.03 years (±4.77 years). Staff were primarily nursing (36%), allied health (38%) and administrative (20%) personnel. 30% (n=537) had never undergone screening for DHL. 84% (n=1479) had no pre-existing DHL; of these, 12% had abnormalities. 15% (n=262) required follow-up consultations. Discussion Screening uptake and DHL disease detection increased. Total costs to HR were $57,344. Using an average of 1.9 days absent-from-work per chronic condition, potential lost wages among this population totaled $181,924, with projected cost-savings of $124,580. Conclusion Workplace-based screening programs can improve screening uptake, allowing earlier detection of pre-clinical and clinical DHL. Averted productivity loss was almost 3:1 that of expended screening costs, suggesting cost-effectiveness.