10 minute read
WHAT’S UP
hat’s Up
Celebrating the spirit of continuous learning and innovation
Hai Moy is a true advocate for patients, listening empathetically to her patients and continually thinking of ways to improve their care; Dhina’s passion for patient care and service motivated him to embark on career upgrading and upskilling to become a Healthcare Assistant
Two Yishun Health staff were recognised at this year’s Public Sector Transformation Awards 2021 (PST). The PST Awards is a wholeof-government pinnacle platform to commend public officers and agencies for excellence in their work. Over 84 winners were awarded across 11 categories.
One of them was Toh Hai Moy, Senior Nurse Clinician, Advanced Practice Nurse, and Specialty Nurse, KTPH. The veteran nurse and prolific inventor has made numerous contributions to patient care with her many inventions that meet patient and caregiver needs. Among her inventions — known as ‘Angie’ inventions and based on a nickname conferred by a patient — are pants to conceal urine bags, and headbands to secure feeding tubes. Within the wards, Hai Moy made a suggestion to install a glass panel at the top of restroom doors to serve as a visual cue for others to know whether the stalls are occupied. This helps improve the safety and privacy of patients who forget to lock restroom doors. For her empathy and creativity, she was awarded the Exemplary Innovator Award.
Another winner from Yishun Health was M Dhinakaran, Healthcare Assistant, Ancillary Care, KTPH, who won the Exemplary SkillsFuture @ Public Service Award. Dhina joined KTPH in 2014 as a Portering Assistant. He worked for five years before taking up job redesign training to become a Basic Care Assistant and began assisting the nurses in ward-based caregiving duties. In April 2020, Dhina rose up to the challenge of looking after patients with COVID-19. During this time, he also took the initiative to learn new skills, and was sponsored by the hospital in September 2020 to undergo a three-month long, fulltime Higher Certificate in Healthcare Support (Nursing Care) course under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualification framework at the Institute of Health Sciences. He graduated in December 2020 and has since embarked on his new journey as a Healthcare Assistant.
A new milestone for Share a Pot
Yishun Health’s long-standing Share a Pot programme marked an important milestone on 27 October 2021, when it signed a letter of collaboration with the Rotary Club of Singapore (RCS). RCS has pledged to finance Share a Pot @ Home as their flagship initiative under their ‘Building Capacity for the New Normal’ programme.
Share a Pot supports communities in taking the lead to combat frailty that comes with old age through the sharing of hearty, protein-rich soups and group exercise. To adapt to COVID-19, Share a Pot has pivoted to virtual exercise sessions and soup deliveries. Prof Chua Hong Choon, CEO of Yishun Health, welcomed the partnership, saying, “This is a shining example of how institutions and the community can embrace a whole-of-society approach towards achieving community goals!”
Shining a (UV) light on infection control
In August 2021, a Yishun Health innovation — the UV Disinfectant Box — was awarded the Certificate of Commendation at the Workplace Safety & Health (WSH) Awards 2021.
The UV Disinfectant Box, which disinfects medical supplies and personal items, was developed by a crossfunctional team from Facilities Management, Infection Control, facilities vendor ISS, and Republic Polytechnic. The device is clinically proven to kill around 99% of bacteria; it also eliminates viruses. With this, items such as masks, blood pressure cuffs, and stethoscopes can be easily disinfected and reused. This reduces waste and supports infection control efforts, especially during these COVID-19 times.
The annual WSH Awards is presented by the WSH Council and supported by the Ministry of Manpower; it recognises organisations and individuals who have achieved excellence in workplace safety and health.
The UV Disinfectant Box, which took just three months to be developed, has been proven to kill germs and viruses, and is now used across Yishun Health wards and offices
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Recognising excellence in medical education
Yishun Health was well awarded at this year’s NUS Medicine Appreciation for Clinical Educators (NUSMedACE), held on 9 November 2021. NUSMedACE acknowledges the contributions of healthcare clinicians to the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and their passion for educating the future generations.
In total, four departments and 11 individuals from Yishun Health were recognised. Among these, our Acute and Emergency Care Centre (A&E) received the Clinical Training Excellence Award, achieving
KTPH opened a new Oncology Service at Tower C, Clinic C50, to bring cancer care to the community in the North. It will offer the full suite of basic oncology services, including Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology clinics and outpatient chemotherapy treatment. Where necessary, patients may be referred to our partner institutions within National Healthcare Group.
The service will be helmed by visiting consultants from Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National University high scores and positive feedback from students. Other awards presented to Yishun Health included the Clinical Training Merit Award, Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence, and the Special Recognition Award.
These achievements are a validation of the efforts that have gone towards maintaining a high standard of medical education despite the move towards smaller groups, simulations, and online learning.
Cancer Institute, and run by Yishun Health’s experienced oncology specialty nurses, pharmacists and Patient Service Associates.
The oncology team will work closely with other cancer specialists and allied health professionals to provide multidisciplinary care to patients. These onsite Oncology services will also facilitate better care coordination and convenience for patients in the North who have multiple appointments at KTPH for cancer and other existing conditions.
Honouring the strength of breast cancer warriors
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021, the KTPH Breast Surgery team collaborated with Breast Cancer Foundation to hold an art exhibition, entitled ‘Celebrating Life, Together’. The opening was graced by Minister Indranee Rajah, who launched the exhibit by unveiling the centerpiece of the exhibition, called ‘Be Strong’. Created by Dr Marc Ong, Consultant, and Dr Joelle Leung, Senior Resident Physician, ‘Be Strong’ symbolises women battling breast cancer, and pays tribute to their strength and positivity. As part of the fundraising efforts, original and prints of the artwork are available for purchase; all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Held at the Fullerton Hotel’s East Garden Gallery, the exhibition showcases art pieces made by breast cancer patients and healthcare professionals to raise funds for breast cancer patients. The goal of the showcase is to create greater awareness of breast cancer and spread the message about the importance of early detection and breast screening.
Made with 3,000 strips of thin papers quilled meticulously in a myriad of shapes and colours, ‘Be Strong’ took Dr Ong and Dr Leung more than five months to complete
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World Diabetes Day
On this year’s World Diabetes Day, which falls on 14 November, Yishun Health participated in an inaugural webinar that involved the whole National Health Group cluster. Together with Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Woodlands Health, and NHG Polyclinics, a series of public talks was presented to highlight the need for early access to diabetes care in order to prevent complications. Other partners from Group Corporate Communications, Group Corporate Development, NHG College (Group Education), and Group Integrated Care, as well as the People’s Association and Woodlands Grassroots Organisation, also collaborated to bring this event together.
Over Zoom and Facebook Live, more than 400 participants took part in the two-hour webinar, which saw NHG doctors, nurses and allied health professionals share on a variety of diabetes-related topics.
Lee Ting Yuan, Senior Staff Nurse, AdMC, spoke on the use of technology to better manage diabetes Senior Dietitian Ryan Ong, Nutrition & Dietetics, KTPH, demonstrated an oyakodon recipe
Packs of care for our nursing home partners
During the week of 14 October 2021, a team comprising Yishun Health’s GeriCare, Operations and Human Resources delivered care packages to encourage various nursing homes in their pandemic efforts. A total of 200 care packs, containing refreshing drinks and medicated ointment, were personally wrapped and distributed to 10 of these homes. This initiative strengthens Yishun Health’s long-running partnerships with nursing homes, and the years of providing resources and timely support.
Care packs were given to Apex Harmony Lodge, Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home, Singapore Christian Home, Villa Francis Home for the Aged, Woodlands Care Home, The Lentor Residence, and Sunlove Nursing Home
The clear importance of AMD awareness
To help spread awareness of macular diseases, KTPH’s Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (OVS) department virtually launched the 17th run of AMD Week on 9 October with ‘Your Vision, Our Focus — See Through the Midst of Pandemic’. During the event, clinicians from Yishun Health and Tan Tock Seng Hospital highlighted the importance of eye health, screening, and the community care resources available. Although it has not been possible to hold mass health screenings, members of the public were nevertheless encouraged to self-monitor using the KTPH MATA app, which was developed to flag vision abnormalities.
A design competition was held to determine this year’s AMD Week logo. Dr Preethi Jeyabal, from National University Health System, submitted the winning design. The tagline, ‘Keep an eye on your eye’, is a reminder to check vision regularly and attend regular eye screenings. A video was produced by Dr Aaron Goh and his team from MOHH; their short film featured a patient who lost his vision in 2017
It’s okay to be blue
On World Mental Health Day (WMHD), which falls on 10 October, the Yishun Health campus joined more than 20 other landmarks all over Singapore to commemorate the occasion by being illuminated in blue light.
From 10–31 October, blue light brightened numerous areas of the campus to raise awareness of mental health, and to reduce its stigma through education and advocacy. Themed ‘It’s OKAY — Take 5’, this year’s WMHD hopes to encourage everyone to learn the importance of caring for their mental health and well-being, and to step forward and ask for support.
Feeling blue? It’s okay! This year’s message aims to reduce the stigma of mental health issues and encourage people to reach out for support
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On teamwork and timely updates in stroke management
To mark World Stroke Day on 29 October, KTPH’s Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) conducted a webinar on Consultant, Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, and attended by 120 participants.
15 October 2021 to highlight the seriousness of stroke and raise awareness of its prevention and treatment. The team informed participants on the latest stroke management methods and treatments, as well as helpful information and best practices.
ASU nurses and allied health professionals from Rehabilitation Services also shared their expertise and provided a multidisciplinary overview that emphasised the importance and necessity of teamwork in caring for stroke patients.
The event was graced by ASU Chairman, Dr Chua Hoe Chin, Senior
During the forum, the ASU team provided a multidisciplinary approach and emphasised the importance and necessity of teamwork in caring for stroke patients
Knee-d help with that injury?
Yishun Health held its 4th Orthopaedic Nursing Forum on 15 October 2021, with a focus on knee injury and recovery. Titled ‘KNEE: Repair, Replace, Rehabilitation’, the forum welcomed some 200 participants, including nurses from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, National Neuroscience Institute, Woodlands Health, and Parkway Shenton.
Clinicians, physiotherapists and nurses shared their experiences and insights on a team approach in the raising of care standards. In her opening address, Ms Shirley Heng, Chief Nurse, encouraged participants to continue learning and collaborating to improve patient care.
Yishun Health surgeons, sports physicians, physiotherapists, and orthopaedic nurses shared their perspectives on appropriate care and treatment for knee injuries
