Technology has the potential to transform and bring healthcare to the next level.
While the healthcare industry has never been a pioneer in leveraging technology, National Healthcare Group has recognised the vast benefits that it can bring to our patients and has embarked on a journey of technological breakthroughs since 2004.
NHG operates in a dialectical environment of increased medical knowledge, rapid innovation, rising costs, intense competition, high expectations of increasingly well-informed patients and an ageing population. To provide faster, better, cheaper and safer care for our patients, we utilise technology to help us.
| A filmless technology where images such as x-rays are taken, stored and read digitally, the key advantage to this technology is shorter waiting times for patients for their results. It also facilitates seamless transfer of patient information between care providers, leading to improved care as clinicians now have quick and accurate access to essential medical information to better customise treatment to meet each patient’s unique needs. |
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| This system enables laboratory results to be reported and retrieved electronically, across NHG cluster. With automation and this information system, the entire laboratory process, from sample collection, analysis to result reporting, is fully integrated and more efficient. |
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Automation is well established in big laboratories in Canada, USA, Japan and Western Europe. It has been proven that with automation, turnaround for laboratory tests can sometimes be twice as fast. It is also a cheaper and safer alternative to the conventional method that relies heavily on human manpower.
NHG is the first in Singapore to embrace laboratory automation on a large scale. With automation, our laboratory in Tan Tock Seng Hospital is now among the most sophisticated in the region, being the first automation line to integrate chemistry, haematology, immunochemistry and coagulation tests. Automation enables our doctors to receive laboratory results at the quickest time, arrive at diagnosis earlier, and provide more timely intervention and treatment for our patients. The system also cuts waiting time for patients, saves costs, reduces the risk of test error and improves safety for hospital staff. |
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| This paperless system allows doctors to order x-rays and laboratory tests and medication for patients electronically. It checks for appropriateness of orders, and suggests other relevant orders, if necessary. It also alerts doctors to repetitive x-rays and laboratory tests, orders, thus avoiding unnecessary duplication. E-prescription also checks and alerts doctors to drug allergies, drug-to-drug interactions, and dosage caution for certain medical conditions. Patients can expect quality, consistent and safer care as a result. |
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| This patient administration system gives a holistic view of the patient regardless of where or when he has sought care within NHG. It translates into a single master record for treatment received, medication, tests done, allergies, preferences, appointment scheduling, registration, financial counseling, inpatient admission, discharge, billing and payment from appointment scheduling, inpatient admission, treatment and billing for every patient. |
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| NHG clinicians are able to access patient records across the cluster via this system. Shared information includes patient’s drug allergies, discharge summaries, dispensed medication and radiology reports. |
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