Sengkang General Hospital leads the way in automating sterile supply management
In order to meet these challenges head-on, medical institutions must embrace innovative solutions that optimise operations and enhance both patient and staff well-being. To that end, Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) has taken a bold leap into the future of healthcare logistics with the implementation of its groundbreaking Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) in the Central Sterile Supplies Unit (CSSU).
This innovative system, the first of its kind in Singapore's healthcare sector, is setting new benchmarks for efficiency, safety and staff well-being. Designed to streamline the often labour-intensive process of managing surgical instruments, the ASRS integrates advanced robotic technology with sophisticated software, marking a significant shift from traditional manual methods.
Traditionally, staff were required to perform physically demanding tasks, including manually locating, retrieving, and tracking thousands of surgical instrument sets. This not only posed a risk of errors but also placed a considerable strain on the workforce.
Besides the inefficiencies in instrument management, there were risks of errors leading to surgical delays and difficulties in maintaining sterility assurance. The ASRS project aimed to address these critical issues head-on, and SKH embarked on a journey to revolutionise its CSSU operations through automation.
Robotic system
At the heart of the ASRS lies a complex integration of several key components. A three-arm robotic system, coupled with four Vertical Carousel Systems (VCR), automates the storage and retrieval of instrument sets.
SEE ALSO Revolutionising drug discovery with AI in South-east Asia
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign Up VIEW ALL
The system is powered by a sophisticated Warehouse Management System (WMS) that integrates seamlessly with the hospital's existing Total Documentation (T-Doc) system, used for tracking surgical instruments. This integration eliminates the need for double data entry, ensuring accuracy and streamlining workflows.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Listing etomidate as Class C drug 'interim measure', MHA to assist HSA on Kpod crackdown: Shanmugam
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will back the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in its crackdown against etomidate-laced vapes, said Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam. Speaking on the sidelines of a media event on Wednesday (July 30), Shanmugam said that MHA will be classifying etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as an "interim measure" while the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts further studies to form legislation regarding etomidate and related substances. Etomidate is currently classified as a poison that is regulated under the Poisons Act. Listing it as Class C drug under the MDA allows for "tougher enforcement measures", where abusers will be subjected to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation regimes if convicted. Now the abusers are given a fine and sellers can face up to two years in jail. "Those who import, sell, distribute etomidate-laced vapes can expect much stiffer penalties than today," he said. Shanmugam said that his ministry will second officers to "assist with the supervision, treatment, and rehab of etomidate abusers" at HSA, following a request for assistance from MOH. The minister said public education regarding Kpods will have to start with parents and schools, considering the younger demographic of Kpod users. He said: "This is something we'll have to discuss with MOH, and MOH will have to decide how they want to bring it across, and how they want to do the public education for the young children." Shanmugam also defended Singapore's tough stance on drugs, which are comparatively much harsher than other countries. "We look after Singaporeans, and Singaporeans support our policies," he said, adding that such harsh penalties on drug offenders need to be in place to protect Singaporeans. As at July 25, MOH, HSA and People's Association have placed 24 bins at designated locations for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of their vapes in a new initiative called Bin the Vape. Those who surrender their devices by binning them, or voluntarily seek support for quitting, will not face any penalties for doing so. [[nid:720627]]
AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Listing etomidate as Class C drug 'interim measure', MHA to assist HSA on Kpod crackdown: Shanmugam, Singapore News
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will back the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in its crackdown against etomidate-laced vapes, said Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam. Speaking on the sidelines of a media event on Wednesday (July 30), Shanmugam said that MHA will be classifying etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as an "interim measure" while the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts further studies to form legislation regarding etomidate and related substances. Etomidate is currently classified as a poison that is regulated under the Poisons Act. Listing it as Class C drug under the MDA allows for "tougher enforcement measures", where abusers will be subjected to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation regimes if convicted. Now the abusers are given a fine and sellers can face up to two years in jail. "Those who import, sell, distribute etomidate-laced vapes can expect much stiffer penalties than today," he said. Shanmugam said that his ministry will second officers to "assist with the supervision, treatment, and rehab of etomidate abusers" at HSA, following a request for assistance from MOH. The minister said public education regarding Kpods will have to start with parents and schools, considering the younger demographic of Kpod users. He said: "This is something we'll have to discuss with MOH, and MOH will have to decide how they want to bring it across, and how they want to do the public education for the young children." Shanmugam also defended Singapore's tough stance on drugs, which are comparatively much harsher than other countries. "We look after Singaporeans, and Singaporeans support our policies," he said, adding that such harsh penalties on drug offenders need to be in place to protect Singaporeans. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) As at July 25, MOH, HSA and People's Association have placed 24 bins at designated locations for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of their vapes in a new initiative called Bin the Vape. Those who surrender their devices by binning them, or voluntarily seek support for quitting, will not face any penalties for doing so. [[nid:720627]]
CNA
4 hours ago
- CNA
MHA seconding staff to HSA to help deal with etomidate abusers: Shanmugam
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will second officers to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) as part of Singapore's campaign against etomidate-laced vapes, Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam said on Wednesday (Jul 30). HSA is a statutory board under the Ministry of Health, which has been handling and studying the etomidate situation as well as deciding what actions to take moving forward, he told reporters. 'I have asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to support MOH and help them,' said Mr Shanmugam, who is also home affairs minister, adding that MHA personnel will assist with the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of etomidate abusers. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had announced earlier this month that Singapore was working to list etomidate, an anaesthetic that has been found in vapes, as illegal. Listing it as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act will allow for tougher enforcement measures against abusers, said Mr Shanmugam on Wednesday. "Abusers will no longer just be subject to fine. They can be subject to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation regimes. Those who import, sell, distribute etomidate-laced vapes can expect much stiffer penalties than today." This is however an interim measure, he said, and the health ministry is 'looking at what new legislation is possible to deal with etomidate and other similar substances'. STARTING YOUNGER Mr Shanmugam called reported cases of etomidate abusers 'distressing'. 'They lose control of themselves, they put themselves in dangerous positions, they become vulnerable, they become zombies,' he said. He noted that many are young people with bright futures ahead of them, who risk throwing it all away by abusing the substance. In response to a CNA question on whether this younger demographic of users would mean different enforcement and educational efforts compared to those for harder drugs, Mr Shanmugam noted that Singapore's public education on substance abuse starts from a very young age anyway. 'We have to do it in the schools. We have to do it with the parents. It's similar, just that for vapes, the children are starting younger,' he said. Mr Shanmugam said this would be discussed with MOH, which will then decide how to bring the message across to young children. He pointed to parallels between etomidate and harder drugs, citing media reports on the harms caused to etomidate abusers. 'For drugs, the consequences, if we take a light approach, will be multiplied several folds compared with what you are seeing with etomidate.' He said that as long as Singaporeans support the government's policies, it will continue to take a tough line on drugs, including the imposition of a death penalty for traffickers. 'That tough line saves more lives, keeps our streets free of drugs, and parents can bring up their children with peace of mind,' said Mr Shanmugam. "We believe this is the right thing to do ... we do what we honestly believe to be in Singaporeans' interest." COMMUNITY RESPONSE On Wednesday, Mr Shanmugam also attended the launch of MHA's new SGSecure web series called What Would You Do When Terror Strikes. The three-episode show aims to educate viewers on how to respond to an incident, and to also reinforce the importance of community vigilance. The SGSecure movement was introduced in 2016 to sensitise, train and mobilise Singaporeans to play a part in preventing and dealing with a terrorist attack. The initiative comes on the back of MHA carrying out two social experiments in June to measure Singaporeans' alertness towards terrorism. The first involved a dummy improvised explosive device (IED) hidden in luggage at Our Tampines Hub, while the second involved a car loaded with empty gas cylinders at a carpark beside Bishan Community Club. 'In our experiment, it showed that 17 per cent of passers-by noticed suspicious items, and out of that 17 per cent, only 5 per cent either intended to inform the authorities, or took actual action to inform the authorities,' said Ms Sim Ann, senior minister of state for home affairs and foreign affairs. 'So, this shows that we still have some way to go in raising the public's alertness and awareness, and their readiness to combat terrorism.'
