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SEP 2018ISSUE #3

A HEALTH INSIDER BY SENGKANG GENERAL HOSPITAL

We band together to give you a seamless healthcare journey

The

Sound of

Good Healt

II

CONTENTS

Publisher

Sengkang General Hospital Pte. Ltd.

Editorial Team

Cecilia PangLoretta LeeRenee Seow

Advisors/Contributing Experts

Dr Ashwin Chee Dr Foo Swee Sen Dr Poon Kein Boon Dr Simon Stacey Dr Siow Wei Ming Dr Sueziani Binte Zainudin Tham Yim Leng Bernard ChanFrance ArchambaultDr Garreth Li Mohamad Rizal Bin Mohd Razali Dr Tan Choon ChiehDr Victor KwokZaburnisha Bte Manja Maideen

skoop is published by Sengkang General Hospital Pte. Ltd. Copyright © is held by the publisher. All articles in this publication are for information only and are not meant to substitute any advice provided by your own doctor or other medical professionals.

All information is correct at time of printing. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. MCI (P) 148/03/2018.

90700-003-0918

PG 4

ORCHESTRATINGYOUR HEALTHCAREWith a primary care physician backed by a multi-disciplinary team, we hope to make your journey to recovery feel more like a synchronised symphony – relaxing and holistic. Associate Professor Ong Biauw Chi, Chairman Medical Board of Sengkang General Hospital, shares more.

FEELSLIKE HOME

IT’S NOT JUST IN YOUR HEAD

PG 6

PG 14

Sengkang Community Hospital allows you to heal on your own terms with a soothing, unhurried environment and a healthcare approach that considers your deepest needs.

From subsidised checkups to closer health monitoring and more, the SingHealth Regional Primary Care Network (PCN) helps you and your family doctor better manage chronic illnesses.

How you feel can reflect your physical health and vice versa, says the psychiatrist at our Mind & Body Integration Clinic, and it pays to be attentive to your mental state.

DIABETES PREVENTION

STARTS IN THE WOMB

PG 12

TECH ME TO SENGKANG GENERAL HOSPITAL

CONNECTED FOR BETTER CARE

PG 8

From the carpark to the wards, thoughtful innovations have been built in to boost ease, efficiency and safety.

Your baby’s health is affected by what you

eat and do before he’s even born. This, and

other unexpected facts you need to know to keep diabetes at bay.

PG 16

We value your feedback on how we can improve skoop. Please send in your comments and queries to skh.skoop@gmail.com

1

We welcome you into our new home in Sengkang in this issue of Skoop. The Sengkang General Hospital and Sengkang Community Hospital

make up the newest integrated hospital campus to serve the northeast community. Our services and facilities will be available progressively

from 18 August 2018.

Flip through the pages to find out how we harmonise our efforts so that you receive better care and enjoy a smoother journey to recovery.

Boosting Care in te Norteast Community

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YOUR JOURNEY TO GOOD HEALTHWe don’t believe in patients having to navigate in the dark when illness strikes. At Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) and Sengkang Community Hospital (SKCH), you will experience a seamless path of care from initial diagnosis and treatment to longer-term rehabilitative care, all within the SKH Campus.

A

GENERAL PRACTITIONERSAND POLYCLINICS

SENGKANG GENERAL HOSPITAL

• Anytime you feel unwell, see your family doctor as the first point of care to assess and advise you on your condition• Your family doctor can also help you better manage your overall health, including chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure (see page 8)• If a few extra steps are needed to confirm your diagnosis, your doctor may enjoy quick access to specialist expertise, certain medical services and laboratory tests at Sengkang General Hospital• For trickier conditions, you will be referred to a specialist for further consultation

B

• Our specialists from diverse disciplines will work together to treat you, with one primary doctor overseeing your care• On page 4, find out how our combined efforts can minimise duplicated treatments and appointments, and help you navigate complicated conditions with ease• From old-age fractures and diabetes to mental illness, our cross-disciplinary teams are in place to help you maximise your quality of life (see pages 10 to 15) • We have also introduced several hospital service enhancements, like digital meal ordering, automatic dispensing of medication and smart carpark technologies (page 16) to boost the patient experience• Turn to page 20 to see our wide range of clinical and specialty care services being made available, close to your home

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3

C

D

SMOOTH TRANSITION OF CARECOMMUNITY

HOSPITAL

• With both general hospital and community hospitals located on one campus, you are assured of continuous care from one setting to another• Both hospitals will share important information relating to you and your needs so you can enjoy a head start in the journey to recovery• Our coordinated efforts can help lessen your chances of re-hospitalisation or returning to the emergency department

TIME TO TAKE CHARGE!The road to recovery is a big collaboration between you and us. Do involve your family and caregivers as part of your care journey. They are an important support structure for you, both in the hospital and when you return home.

SENGKANG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

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• If you need rehabilitative care, we will move you to a community hospital for rehabilitation and rest before returning home. Turn to page 6 for a glimpse of SKCH’s home-like environment focused on functional recovery • At the community hospital, you are encouraged to be mobile and wear home clothes for therapy sessions. The wards are designed with spaces that can be used for rehabilitation• You will play a role in your recovery and be taught how to monitor blood pressure, take medication on your own (under the watchful eyes of our care team) and attend consultations with doctors privately in a room away from the bedside• To ensure you are well-supported even after discharge, the care team may make suitable arrangements with community care services like home nursing and day care • We may also refer you back to your family doctor for follow-up care

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Orchestratingyour

Healt Care

With a primary care physician backed by a multi-disciplinary team, we hope to make your journey to recovery feel more like a synchronised symphony – relaxing and holistic. Associate Professor Ong Biauw Chi, Chairman Medical Board of Sengkang General Hospital, shares more.

Today, it is common for patients to come in with not just one, but a whole suite of medical conditions. For example, a heart disease patient can also have hypertension, diabetes and other related issues.

This means the patient could end up with 10 varying sets of advice and prescriptions from different specialists and sub-specialists, each being an expert in their field.

Instead of solving the patient’s problem, too many different perspectives can end up like clashing notes in a music score.

The patient is left wondering, “Should I take all of the medicines? What should I focus on first? How is my heart related to my kidneys?”

In our haste to present all of what we know in each specialty and sub-specialty, we forget that healing a person is much more than treating their organs. Patients need to understand what exactly is happening to their body as a whole and how one problem leads to the next.

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BEYOND HOSPITAL WALLSBeing holistic also means we don’t fly solo. For patients needing rehabilitative care after their stay at the general hospital, we band together with the Sengkang Community Hospital at our integrated campus to provide them with seamless care. Patients will experience a hassle-free transfer to SKCH and undergo rehabilitative therapy at an unhurried pace (read more on pages 6-7).

To ensure patients are well-supported within the community or even after discharge, we have partnered with over 20 general practitioners – a patient’s first line of medical consult – in the vicinity who want to go the extra mile for their patients.

When required, their patients can enjoy quicker access to specialty advice or laboratory testing. Patients are in good hands when they go to these partner GPs because they have a full suite of experts in our hospital who can back them up at any time.

Let’s not forget, the holistic healthcare ensemble also includes you. We hope to motivate everyone to be more pro-active in keeping well. It is this cycle of collaborative medical care, community support and self-care that will ultimately help us live our best life.

Healt CareHEART OF THE MATTERThis is why we are harmonising our efforts at Sengkang General Hospital. Patients will now be seen by one primary physician who can consolidate opinions given by multiple specialists to paint a full picture of their health and single out priorities.Simply said, we treat a patient as a whole person rather than using a single solution approach.

The assigned primary physician may be the specialist that the patient has the most rapport with, or whose speciality relates most closely with the patient’s priority condition.

HOLISTIC CARE FOR BETTER HEALTHThe primary physician interprets jargon, integrates advice from all other tending specialists and makes the patient’s condition a whole lot more comprehensible. This also allows the doctor to spend more time understanding the patient’s health, lifestyle habits and support systems at home.

Having these discussions is important because there is no one-size-fits-all solution for each person. We have all kinds of advanced treatments but is the potential outcome meaningful to you? Do all these options cause more doubt or comfort? As primary physicians, it is our duty to help you make informed decisions for a healthier, happier life.

We are heartened that our model of care has attracted eminent specialists to practise with us. We bring them onto our team for both their medical expertise and their deep passion for holistic care.

It is also worthwhile to mention that because of increased collaboration, our specialists and healthcare workers end up levelling up their knowledge and quality of care.

Patients will now be seen by one primary physician who can consolidate opinions given by multiple specialists to paint a full picture of their health.

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Sengkang Community Hospital allows patients to heal on their own terms with a soothing,

unhurried environment and a healthcare approach that considers patients’ deepest needs.

When you go to work in the morning, you may hop on the bus, followed by the train and then walk a few more steps to your workplace – it’s second nature.

The healthcare journey at SKH Campus should also be like your daily commute, says Associate Professor Wong Kok Seng, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Clinical Services) at SingHealth Community Hospitals (refer to box article).

Patients and their loved ones will not need to worry about changing from one care team to another because it will all be smooth and seamless.

COMPLEMENTARY CARE While the general hospital provides specialist care for an acute condition (such as treatment for pneumonia or surgery for fractures), the 400-bed community hospital steps in during the recovery stage by providing rehabilitation services and general medical care. “This is so patients can keep well and then continue to live well in the community after,” explains Assoc Prof Wong.

As patients move to the community hospital, clinical teams between the general hospital and community hospital collaborate to ensure no lapse in important information such as patients’ critical concerns, medical condition and rehabilitation needs.

LIKE

HOME

FEELS

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YOU OWN YOUR HEALTHSengkang Community Hospital provides people-centred care. This means the care plan is conceived in a collaborative manner between the medical team and the patient, who can have a say in the intensity and pace of rehabilitation session for instance.

It goes beyond just medical needs. At the community hospital, healthcare professionals make it a point to understand patients on a personal level.

“An elderly patient for example may find tremendous joy in walking his grandson to kindergarten every morning but his illness prevents him from doing so.

“When we capture this response from the get go, this becomes the motivation for the patient to undergo rehab so he can resume activities that bring him joy,” says Assoc Prof Wong.

“This may sound simple but it can mean a lot to patients, so we design the care plan with them and in a manner that matters to them,” he adds. With the patient’s consent, such information may also be shared with community partners such as day rehabilitation centres where patients may continue to visit after being discharged from the hospital.

To support patients who may not have caregivers at home, Sengkang Community Hospital links them up with community partners like nursing homes and rehabilitation centres to help them to continue their wellness journey beyond the wards.

CONDUCIVE AND THOUGHTFULConvenience is top-of-mind when it comes to the location of Sengkang Community Hospital. Patients can transit speedily from the adjacent general hospital and continue their recovery near to home.

Teams at the community hospital and general hospital are also working together to organise events for patients. Ideas being tossed around include boisterous karaoke sessions and even pet therapy.

One of the most marked differences with this hospital, however, is how it looks. Says Assoc Prof Wong, “One of my favourite things is that the hospital looks less clinical than usual. There are thoughtful touches like sofas in the wards to make it more home-like.

“The environment is familiar, it’s unhurried, and patients recover at a pace they are comfortable with.”

Patients and their loved ones will not

need to worry about changing from one

care team to another because it will all be

smooth and seamless.

Sengkang Community Hospitals is one of three community hospitals managed by SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH).

Set up in 2017, SCH oversees the management of Bright Vision Hospital, Sengkang Community Hospital and the new Outram Community Hospital coming up in 2020.

The community hospitals under SCH integrate care

with acute care hospitals like Sengkang General Hospital. The aim is to provide a homely environment for patients to take part in unhurried personalised care from multidisciplinary teams.

With a focus that goes beyond patients’ length of hospital stay, we want our patients to not just recover from their medical conditions but also regain abilities to reintegrate into the community.

BRIDGING CARE, BUILDING COMMUNITIES

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As diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions barrel their way through Singapore’s ageing population, general practitioners are in unison on one thing.

They want to do more, and do better.

And now, they truly can go the extra mile for patients, with help from the SingHealth Regional PCN.

TIGHT COLLABORATIONThe SingHealth Regional PCN is like a shot of vitamin B12 to the medical community, boosting support for doctors to provide more comprehensive care for you.

The network in the Eastern and Northeastern regions of Singapore comprises 23 GP clinics affiliated to Sengkang General Hospital. These GPs are joined by primary care coordinators and allied health professionals to help you and your family keep diseases under control.

CONNECTED For Better Care

From subsidised checkups to closer health monitoring and more, the SingHealth Regional Primary Care Network (PCN) helps you

and your family doctor better manage chronic illnesses.

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“For me, it is more fulfilling to see the same patients so we can understand their conditions better. In time, they become like family to us. What’s also helpful is the chronic patient registry, which we didn’t keep on our own in the past. It makes disease management more systematic. For instance, if certain tests are due and not done, we can eyeball it straightaway.”

Dr Rick Chan, Kingsley Family ClinicClinical Lead for SingHealth Regional PCN

“With better management of blood pressure and diabetes, there will be fewer complications. Patients live happier, longer lives. With the PCN now, we can call up the hospital for help in more challenging cases. It is easier to reach the relevant specialists for discussions.”

Dr Choong Sheau Peng, United Medical Practitioners

“I hope to carry out closer monitoring of and achieve better outcomes for my patients at a lower cost. Primary care guidelines have long been established by the ministry, but joining the PCN helps us achieve more for our patients. It’s also great that the PCN allows for access to additional healthcare services, such as subsidised diabetic foot screening in the community.”

Dr Gan Tek Kah,Street 21 Clinic (Tampines)

“The benefits of PCN extend beyond chronic illnesses. Common health issues encountered in the younger population, particularly in the northeast region, include sprains, strains, and repetitive stress injuries. They may require services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry. These services are readily available for patients at the regional hospitals.”

DOCTORS WEIGH INWhat family doctors in the Eastern and Northeastern PCN have to say about the new programme:

A WORLD OF BENEFITS

GREATER CONVENIENCEAn array of medical services such as diabetic retinal photography or diabetic foot screening will be available in the community at subsidised rates.

SPEEDIER PROCESSESReferrals to specialists at Sengkang General Hospital will be processed more quickly and you can get direct access to certain medical services such as laboratory tests and diagnostics.

TAILORED ADVICENurse counsellors will be on hand to provide healthcare advice unique to your situation.

CLOSE HEALTH MONITORINGPatients with chronic diseases will have their data entered into a registry so their medical records can be conscientiously tracked.With these records, primary care coordinators will facilitate appointments between different healthcare providers. For instance, they will remind you of follow-up appointments and make recommendations for earlier interventions if needed.

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Dr Leonard Au, My Family Clinic (Anchorvale)

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Up to 20 per cent of hip fracture patients pass away after a year and many survivors require lifelong assistance for simple tasks. To combat the odds, our doctors have drawn up a hip fracture pathway for seamless treatment and recovery.

In consultation with:Dr Poon Kein Boon, Senior Consultant, and Dr Siow Wei Ming, Associate Consultant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery;Dr Foo Swee Sen, Senior Consultant, and Dr Simon Stacey, Consultant, Department of General Medicine (Geriatric Medicine); Zaburnisha Bte Manja Maideen, Nurse Clinician, Nursing

As far as injuries go, hip fractures may come down as one of the most daunting yet. It usually gets too painful for any kind of movement, and getting to surgery as soon as possible is the only way to minimise complications and facilitate faster recovery.

Not Just a Simple Fall

Doctors in Singapore see about 2,000 hip fracture cases a year. It typically happens to people in their late 60s and above, as they are more prone to falls and have weakened bones from osteoporosis.

Unsafe living environments such as slippery floors, unlit spaces and lack of handrails also contribute to bone-breaking tumbles. Many patients wind up having to rely on walking aids or helpers at home to move from place to place.

While the age and existing health condition of patients affect how quickly they recover, having an evidence-based care protocol at the hospital can make the process smoother and minimise complications such as pneumonia, bedsores, urinary tract infections, muscle wasting and others.

Team Effort

Managing the hip fracture pathway is not unlike coordinating take-offs and landings at a busy airport. The process has to be efficient and timely, and it needs to be a team effort.

The team comprises various doctors (the orthopaedic surgeon, ortho-geriatrician, anaesthetist, emergency physician, rehabilitation physician and family doctor), allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, dietitians and medical social workers, and nurses.

Everyone rallies to get a patient to surgery faster, ensure better surgery outcomes and reduce death and disability.

At the same time, a consistent care pathway provides patients and caregivers the assurance of systematic, organised care.

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JOURNEY OF A HIP FRACTURE PATIENT

Understanding the pathway to recovery can help patients and caregivers reduce anxiety and become more mindful of preventing repeated falls.

A fall happens. Call for an ambulance at once.

Tests are performed at the Emergency Department to check on injuries.

The emergency physician recommends admission under the orthopaedic surgical department if a hip fracture is found.

More investigations are done to ensure patient is fit for surgery.

Through interviews, nurses find out the level of caregiving support and living situation. This determines the best place for post-surgery recovery.

The physiotherapist takes the patient through deep breathing exercises. Exercises on the unaffected leg are also done to boost circulation and prevent muscle wasting.

If there’s no significant risk, surgery is done within 48 hours of admission. Surgery may involve fixing fractured ends together with rods, screws and plates, partial hip replacement or

total hip replacement.

Pain control and monitoring are top priorities right after surgery. Physiotherapy exercises (lying, sitting or standing) begin.

Standing and walking exercises are done to help patients visit the toilet and return to bed.

The occupational therapist drops by to make recommendations for the home (such as installation of ramp or handrails) and decide the eventual rehabilitation plan.

The dietitian finds out the patient’s dietary intake and

determines if calcium supplements are needed.

A bone density test is performed to check on bone health and frailty.

Follow-ups with the orthopaedic surgeon

will happen at the 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month mark.

If the home isn’t conducive, the patient

will continue his or her rehabilitation at the community hospital or a nursing home for 3 to 4 weeks.

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Your baby’s health is affected by what you eat and do before he’s even born. This, and other unexpected facts you need to know to keep diabetes at bay.

In consultation with Dr Sueziani Binte Zainudin, Consultant, Department of General Medicine (Endocrinology) and Tham Yim Leng, Nurse Clinician (Diabetes Specialty Care)

Reward (or bribery) candy, long hours of academic mugging and weekly family meals at ah boy’s favourite fast food restaurant may sound like typical occurrences in a Singaporean household.

But they also make the perfect recipe for Type 2 diabetes.

Poor diets, lack of exercise and obesity are the biggest causes of the dreaded disease, which affects one in nine Singaporeans. And patients are getting younger.

But the good news is, as a parent, you can do loads to protect yourself and your kids.

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Consultant endocrinologist Dr Sueziani Binte Zainudin and nurse clinician (diabetes care) Tham Yim Leng share their insights.

Start Them Young

Your quality of pregnancy mattersThe blueprint of your child’s health begins in utero, and gestational diabetes (GD) can increase the risk of diabetes in your baby later in life. To prevent GD, start making healthy tweaks to your lifestyle before conception and avoid quick and large weight gains during pregnancy.

Chubbiness is a red flagFigures from the Health Promotion Board show that one in 10 five-year-olds are overweight today, and 70 per cent of seven-year-olds who are overweight stay so when they are adults. Dr Sueziani suggests that parents rethink the rewards for their children. “Instead of sweets or a fast food meal, why not treat them to quality time at the park?” Don’t apply double standardsChildren learn by modelling. If parents lead healthy lifestyles, children are more likely to follow suit.

Healthier children do better in school As an added bonus, keeping your child healthy with exercise and nutritious foods can also lead to better academic performance. On the flip side, childhood obesity has been linked to behavioural problems and poor performance in school.

Arrest Your Own Risk

Family history is not everythingYou can cut your risk by up to 58 per cent if you make positive lifestyle changes and treat pre-diabetes as soon as you are diagnosed. Also, regardless of your risk factors, be sure to go for screening if you are over 40 years old.

Small changes lead to big onesIf you have been drinking, smoking and sedentary for many years, it will take time to turn your habits around. Baby steps are better if they are sustainable in the long run, say both Dr Sueziani and Tham. Start with easy changes, such as reducing the sugar in your drinks or switching to water.

Time management is keyBeing smart with your time can help you stay the course. While your rice is cooking and your food is in the steamer for instance, you can take the time to squeeze in a quick workout.

It need not be all doom and gloom, especially if you are diagnosed early. Many patients have successfully reversed their condition by simply overhauling their lifestyle.

In serious cases however, managing the condition becomes a multi-disciplinary effort. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications like stroke, blindness and kidney failure.

At Sengkang General Hospital, patients begin their journey at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic. Here, complementary services including dietetics, eye screening and podiatry are offered for patients’ convenience.

Endocrinologists also work in sync with renal specialists, vascular surgeons, cardiologists and ophthalmologists at the Singapore National Eye Centre to ensure patients get timely treatment for complications.

Diabetes care sometimes goes beyond the medical realm. When issues such as mental distress or financial problems surface, psychologists and social workers may be called in to help patients cope.

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How you feel can affect your physical health and vice versa, says Dr Ashwin Chee, consultant psychiatrist at the Mind & Body Integration Clinic at Sengkang General Hospital, and it pays to be attentive to your mental state.

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It was a vicious cycle that didn’t seem to end. Former taxi driver Mr W was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but he was not convinced. “It had to be cancer,” he thought each time his bowel habits changed.

Mr W asked for test after test; the results always came back normal. It drove him to frustration. And when he felt vexed, his IBS symptoms worsened.

When Dr Chee met the taxi driver for the first time, he noticed quickly that he was an extremely anxious person. “I tried to make him see the link between his anxiety and bowel symptoms,” he says.

With some effort, Mr W’s distress went away. After trying relaxation exercises taught by Dr Chee and anxiety medication, he reported that his IBS symptoms became much more manageable. He realised that it was anxiety that was contributing to the physical pain he experienced.

The Mind-Body LinkMental health is more deeply connected to physical health than most people think. For example, illnesses like stroke or hypothyroidism can cause depression. Amputees may also go through a period of grief as they lose “a part of themselves” and come to terms with their new body, explains Dr Chee.

On the other hand, someone who is depressed may feel less motivated to take his medication or attend rehabilitation sessions. This will worsen pre-existing conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

Numbers show that about 15 per cent of adults with diabetes suffer from depression. This is three times higher than the prevalence of depression in the general adult population. The problem is worsened when patients are also plagued by financial or social problems.

Collaborative PracticeHealthcare professionals have long realised that the mind and body cannot be treated as separate entities. A patient needs to be assessed as a whole – physically, emotionally, mentally – to ensure a complete and speedy recovery.

This is why the team of psychiatrists at Mind & Body Integration Clinic at SKH Medical Centre works hand in hand with colleagues in other

departments, including occupational therapists, psychologists and medical social workers to manage complicated cases towards a more positive outcome.

The clinic is also located within the same Centre as geriatric medicine, endocrinology and surgical departments, which makes it convenient for patients to hop over for a consultation. “The close proximity also makes it less daunting for patients who are fearful of seeing a psychiatrist,” says Dr Chee.

What Happens in the Clinic for Mind-Body CareConsultations at the Mind & Body Integration Clinic help patients to attain a more positive mindset so that they can better cope with their treatments, recovery and adaptation to a different lifestyle. “We don’t ask patients to lie down on a couch and start talking about their relationship with their mother,” says Dr Chee.

Rather, the conversation focuses on the current issue. Patients will be asked about their medical symptoms and how their daily life is affected. Supplementary information about family, education and profession will also help the doctor know the patient as a whole.

If necessary, the psychiatrist may order investigations like blood tests or brain scans and prescribe medication. Sometimes, patients may need to see a psychologist for further therapy or be referred to a social worker for financial help.

“When patients are able to open themselves up for holistic mind-body medical care, they will find that their recovery will be that much smoother,” says Dr Chee.

When to Seek HelpMind & Body Integration Clinic services are available to anyone in the community that could benefit from a consultation at the clinic. If you notice your family member seems to be displaying anxiety or sadness in addition to symptoms (such as pain or discomfort) of the existing medical condition, it could mean that they may need more help. If they are not sleeping or eating well as before and losing a lot of weight, this could be a sign of depression.

“A consultation at the Mind & Body Integration Clinic could help with alleviating such symptoms,” says Dr Chee.

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From the carpark to the wards, thoughtful innovations have been built in to boost ease, efficiency and safety.

SENGKANG

HOSPITALGENERAL

TECH TO

ME

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ON THE MENU TODAYEvery ward is allocated a tablet for patients to order their nutritious meals via the Electronic Meal Ordering System (eMOS). Orders are sent to the kitchen for advanced preparation.

Not sure what to get? Photos of the dishes displayed may help with decision-making. For those on restricted diets, doctors, nurses and allied health professionals can use eMOS to define dietary requirements to help order safe meal options. eMOS also helps nurses review every patient’s meal order status at a glance so no one is missed out.

With a clear order summary, the kitchen crew can prepare appropriate quantities to minimise food wastage. Plus, there are alerts for late orders or changes that kitchen staff will receive on the fly.

NEVER “LOSE YOUR CAR” AGAINWith 1,700 parking spaces spread across four basements, there are times you may need help remembering where you have parked your vehicle. This is why we have implemented a smart parking guidance system called “Find My Car” to relieve the stress of your car search.

The tracking system uses a camera to capture images of parked vehicles and their license plate numbers. The information is then instantly transmitted to a database.

When you are ready to leave the hospital, simply head to a “Find My Car” kiosk conveniently located at the public carpark lobbies. Key in your license plate number and you will be shown the exact location of your car on a map, plus the easiest way to get there.

Bonus benefit: The tracking system is not only nifty; it also improves security by capturing the entry and exit timings of all parked cars.

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Running a hospital is complex business, which is why we have put in place a myriad of high-tech and automation solutions to keep operations well oiled while optimising the safety and comfort of patients.

Our Building Management System helps the team oversee multiple aspects – electricity, air-conditioning, lighting, plumbing, fire safety, access control and more – from one centralised Fault Reporting Centre which is manned 24/7. The system even tracks and adjusts the smallest details in critical hospital environments, for instance pressurisation in the isolation ward and humidity in operating theatres.

In the event of a fault like a power trip, the system automatically sends a notification to engineers and technicians via SMS. This means, issues are tended to 30 per cent faster as compared to the past where staff manning the Fault Reporting Centre had to call up individual technicians.

With over 50,000 tracking points across three buildings, alarms are categorised as “critical”, “urgent” or “normal” so the most important issues are fixed first.

FEEL AT EASE ALWAYS

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Traditionally, there are multiple “pit stops” involved in a doctor’s visit. After your consultation, you will collect your prescription and head to the pharmacy. There, you take a number and then wait in line to get your medications. After that, there is another line to join for payment.

Not anymore. We have cut down the number of stops you need to make and waiting time at the pharmacy.

After seeing the doctor, you will show your prescription at the Medication Management Counter located on the same floor as the clinic. This is where a pharmacist will confirm (or amend) your list of medications and reinforce how and when you should take them. At this point, the prescription is relayed to the pharmacy downstairs so the correct medicines are packed in advance.

You will then head to the nearby cashier counter to make payment for both your doctor’s consultancy and medicines in one combined bill. What’s left to do now is to collect your medicines at the pharmacy and you can head off!

GET YOUR MEDS FASTER

This new workflow is supported by an enhanced IT system. For instance a drug image database is updated and visuals of medications are displayed to patients. There are also measures put in place to ensure accuracy of complex prescriptions.

LOCATION MONITORING TO BOOST CARE AND SAFETY

The tag worn by admitted patients has long been used to support workflow automation, and serves as an added form of patient verification before administering medication and services.

At Sengkang General Hospital, this tag with real-time location monitoring capability helps support closer monitoring for at-risk patients (such as those with dementia) in case they leave the hospital without supervision or permission.

Location monitoring also extends to equipment like wheelchairs. By tracing these individually numbered assets and locating them at locations like vehicle drop-off points, we can shorten patients’ waiting time for such equipment.

Last but not least, this technology enhances patient and staff safety in the event of disease outbreak. It allows greater accuracy in contact tracing – mapping patients’ routes and pin-pointing touchpoints.

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A comprehensive suite of clinical and allied healthcare services

Clinical Specialties

Anaesthesiology Cardiology - NHCS Dentistry Emergency Medicine Family Medicine General Medicine

- Dermatology - Endocrinology - Gastroenterology & Hepatology - Geriatric Medicine - Haematology - Infectious Disease - Internal Medicine - Palliative Medicine - Rehabilitation Medicine - Renal Medicine - Respiratory Medicine - Rheumatology General Surgery

- Breast - Colorectal - Head & Neck - Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) - Upper Gastrointestinal & Bariatric - Vascular & Endovascular Intensive Care Medicine Neuroscience - NNI Obstetrics and Gynecology - KKH Oncology - NCCS Ophthalmology - SNEC Orthopaedics Otolaryngology (ENT) Paediatrics - KKH Pain Management

- Acupuncture Pathology Plastics, Reconstructive and Aesthetics Psychiatry Radiology Urology

Allied Health

Audiology Clinical Measurement Centre

(Neurological, Vascular and Lung Function Studies) Dietetics Medical Social Services Pharmacy Physiotherapy Podiatry Psychology Occupational Therapy Respiratory Therapy Speech Therapy

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Sengkang General Hospital brings holistic healthcare and greater convenience to residents in the northeast with a comprehensive suite of clinical specialties and medical services, including those from SingHealth’s national specialty centres.

With the opening of SKH, residents of Sengkang and its surrounding neighbourhoods will enjoy convenient access to a comprehensive suite of clinical and medical services covering major healthcare disciplines. Residents will benefit from the coordinated, team-based care provided by SKH’s team of clinicians, nurses, and allied health professionals.

The SKH Medical Centre which houses the specialist clinics also serves as a hub for national speciality centres in the northeast, complementing its suite of specialist care services.

These national specialty care services are being offered by National Cancer Centre Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore National Eye Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, National Dental Centre Singapore, and National Neuroscience Institute, allowing residents in the northeast to access these services nearer their homes.

Consistent level of expertise and care but closer to home

SKH collaborates with these specialty centres to offer specialty services at our Medical Centre.• NCCS Oncology @ SKH• NHCS Cardiology @ SKH• SNEC Eye Clinic @ SKH• Obstetrics and Gynaecology by KKH• Paediatrics by KKH• Dental by NDCS• Neuroscience by NNI

With SKH’s collaboration with national specialty centres, patients continuing their consultations or treatments for eye and heart conditions, like cataracts and heart disease for instance, need not travel far for follow-up appointments. They can have their medical conditions reviewed and tests conducted at the same time at SKH.

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HOW TO GET TO SKH CAMPUS

SKH Medical Centre Operating HoursMon-Fri: 8:30am-5:30pmClosed on Sat, Sun, Public Holidays

Address 110 Sengkang East Way Singapore 544886

Stay Connected!

By Public Transport

SengkangCommunity

Hospital

SengkangGeneralHospital

SKHMedicalCentre

Sheltered linkway fromCheng Lim LRT Station

10-minute walk fromSengkang MRT Station& Compass One

Bus stops

By Private Vehicle

2-minute drive from TPE Exit 10

1,700 Parking Lots

Appointments / General EnquiriesTel: +65 6930 6000Email: appointments@skh.com.sg www.skh.com.sg

feedback@skh.com.sg

Sengkang_General_Hospital

www.facebook.com/SengkangGeneralHospital

Anchorvale Street

ChengLimFarmway

SpringdalePrimary School

SengkangCompassOne

SengkangPolyclinics

Police Post

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Sengkang East WaySengkang East Way

Nan ChiauPrimary School

Anchorvale Street

Anchorvale Crescent

Tampines Expressway (TPE)

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HospitalGeneral Hospital

Medical Centre

DROPOFFS/ENTRANCES TO CARPARKS

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Entrance to MedicalCentre

Entrance toGeneral Hospital and CommunityHospital