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A Monthly StAff newSletter :: JAnuAry 2013 ISSue

B r e a k i n g N e w s

New look unveils on Christmas EveSHP-Geylang re-opens her doors after four months of renovation

Getting Ready to shift

on 24 December 2012, SHP-Geylang welcomed patients back to the building newly renovated clinic.

Services now span over four storeys to better optimise the space. The clinic has clustered space for patients with different needs to reduce unnecessary movements from one service point to another.

The clinic is adopting a new concept where pharmacy and payment counters are located at two levels, instead of at one level only to provide convenience and better serve patients.

SHP-Geylang is also the first to start a Geriatric Centre to care for the elderly in the Geylang community.

With a healing environment and improved work flows, the team at SHP-Geylang strives to bring about better patient care and patient experience to its patients.

SHP-Tampines will relocate in January

With the completion of SHP-Geylang renovation, SHP-Tampines will begin their make-over in 2013.

SHP-Tampines will close her doors on 28 January 2013 and target to re-open in June 2013. During the renovation, a temporary clinic (located next to SingHealth Polyclinics - Geylang building) will open from 6 February 2013 to provide medical care for their patients.

A free bus shuttle service will be provided from SHP-Tampines to the temporary clinic till June 2013.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, 22 December 2012

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I n F o c u s

A safer tomorrow starts with youWhat does safety mean to you?

In October, the Patient Safety Group, together with Dr Lim Hwee Boon and Dr Hwang Siew Wai visited all nine polyclinics during lunch time to reinforce the importance of incident reporting via the Incident Reporting Roadshow.

Participants were shown how incident reports had significantly improved patient safety through learning from past incidents. They were shocked by the types of incidents being reported and expressed relief that through incidents reported, we can learn and improve

ourselves to prevent reccurence. Staff were also strongly encouraged to report actual events as well as near misses.

The acroynm - “SAFER” takes on a new meaning for SHP staff who reaffirm their commitment towards patient safety.

Improvement never stopsCongratulations to our clinic team from SHP-Bukit Merah for achieving an Merit award for their improvement project.

SHP has always participated actively in the National Healthcare Quality Improvement Conference and this year was no exception. SHP submitted 3 improvement projects this year.

The 9th National Healthcare Quality Improvement Conference, organised by Ministry of Health (MOH), was held at Resort World Sentosa (RWS) on 7 and 8 November 2012.

Many local healthcare institutions including SingHealth Polyclinics were invited to submit improvement projects for the purpose of sharing and learning; in addition, the projects were submitted for the poster competition.

Speak up if there’s a safety concern. It is not ok to do nothing.

Actual and near miss incidents should be reported.

Focus on system improvement. Ask “what happened?” instead of who made the error. Redesign system for safer and reliable care.

Everyone plays an important role in patient safety.

Report incidents to prevent future errors and harm to patients and ouselves.

1. Regular Surveillance of Chronic Hepatitis B Carriers in Bukit Merah to Improve Outcomes Dr Low Lian Leng and team from SHP-Bukit Merah

2. Improving LDL to Target Amongst High Risk CVD Patients at Queenstown Polyclinic Dr Jonathan Yeo and team from SHP-Queenstown

3. To Redesign The Administrative Workflow to Reduce Medical Consultation Waiting Time of Patients in Appointment Clinics in Pasir Ris Polyclinic Dr Peter Moey and team from SHP-Pasir Ris

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C l i n i c B u z z

First workshop of the yearSHP Research department conducted its first Research Workshop of the year on 3 - 4 January 2013. Facilitated by Dr Tan Ngiap Chuan, Director of Research, the workshop saw a total of 10 participants from medical, nursing and pharmacy.

Other than hands-on and lectures, the participants were also introduced to literature search on the topic of choice, engaged in role play in their discussions and deliberated on their selected topic. Through this workshop, SHP Research department aims to prepare participants to carry out a real-time research project as part of the training programme in the next 12 months, and allow them to enjoy a fruitful experience in qualitative research.

A healthy mind, a healthy startYou have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. -- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor, 121AD - 180 AD

Imagine you start your day on the wrong side of the bed, realise that your breakfast is mouldy and while on your way to work, the train stalls due to a track fault. When you reach the office, you relate the unfortunate events to every single colleague you see. Throughout the day, you continue to feel unhappy and are unable to work.

Have you ever felt the same way too?

The key to productivity is to maintain healthy thinking and this will pull you through gloomy days.

Invited by SHP-HQ, Dr Wolff v. Auer, a professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist from Counseling & Hypnotherapy Hub, introduced the need to maintain a healthy mind and the small ways to de-stress such as breathing techniques to help cope with work stress. The talk was held on 14 December 2012.

So, put on a smile as tomorrow will always be better.

In November 2012, SHP Research department invited A/Prof Ng Chirk Jenn, from the Department of Primary Care, University of Malaya / Editor, Malaysian Family Medicine, to give a talk on patient decision aids which was simulcasted to the 9 polyclinics.Unlike patient education materials, patient decision aids are evidence-based tools which provide information about the disease, its treatment options (including pros and cons) and patient values (what is important to them). A/Prfo Ng shared how this innovative approach systematically guides the patient through the decision-making process and complements clinical consultation.

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E d i t o r ’ s N o t e

We live on! So, the Mayans’ prediction that the world will end, did not happen afterall. On 21 December 2012, I wondered if New Zealand is still around. A new day dawns in New Zealand first!

Since the World didn’t end, we shall bring forth all our energy and embrace a better 2013. With SHP-Geylang re-opening and SHP-Tampines up next for renovation, we can expect new buzz and lots of excitement in 2013.

It is not too late to set your new year’s resolutions - the things you need to do and the goals that you want to achieve. Be it work or play, list them down and work towards them. Have a plan for yourself and make this new year a better one.

As for me, I am signing off this first copy of One Voice for 2013 and looking forward to this exciting new beginning. I have already prepared on my “to-do” list now - thanks, Elaine!

With love

Eric Lim Editor, One Voice

P.S.: That cute baby girl in my arms is my niece-in-law. Not mine. Akan datang.

T h a n k Yo u

at SHP-Marine Parade“I’m writing this email to compliment Marine Parade Polyclinic. My whole family was sick and we visited Marine Parade Polyclinic. The clinic is well-known of the short waiting time; but the entire experience was more than what I expected.

The Patient Service Clerk Huiying at the registration counter was very helpful. She was very kind to allow me to register though I forgot to bring the identity card and certificate for myself and my child. She provided me with an email address so that I can email the documents to her later when I’m home. For our convenience, she also arranged for us to see the same doctor. I am appreciative of her understanding and flexibility.

Dr Lin Ee Jan is probably the best polyclinic doctor I ever met! He was able to engage my 3 year old daughter so well that my daughter felt at ease with him. He took the trouble to find out the medicine she is currently taking to understand more about her condition. The whole consultation was fun, engaging, personable and he showed professionalism in his medical advice.

The pharmacist, SPT Maimunah Bte Abu Bakar, was also very helpful as she helped to write the types and uses of the different medications that my daughter has to take.

Sent by Magdalene Yeow via email on 5 December 2012

at SHP-Pasir RisI visited Pasir Ris Polyclinic for lower back pain and some pimples on my scalp and was attended to by Dr Lee Kin Chung. He was meticulous in his explanation using layman terms and geniunely cared for his patients.

Kudos, Dr. Lee. I sincerely wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Sent by Jerry David Ling via email on 4 December 2012