IHiS worked with
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) to set up a new patient holding area to hold COVID-19 patients awaiting to be discharged to the Community Care Facilities (CCFs). As this area was located a distance away from the main hospital, it presented a logistical challenge -
KTPH and IHiS staff had to bring the necessary healthcare and healthtech devices to the new location as well as to extend the infrastructure for 336 beds. Due to the urgency of the task, about 20 staff from various IHiS departments were
quickly mobilised to complete the IT setup within 7 days (30 Apr to 06 May).
“Throughout the process, IHiS worked closely with KTPH stakeholders and respective vendors to ensure that the holding area could be up and running within the stipulated timeframe. Everyone’s constructive views, collaborative ways and continuous refinement of the plan helped to ensure that the project was delivered with a high standard of quality,” said Liew Phey Bong Yishun Health IT Director, NHG-CIO Services, IHiS
To set up the holding areas, rolls of cables needed to be laid. Unfortunately, the team hit a snag from the start as the usual cabling vendor could not operate until they had obtained permission from the authorities. Things were further complicated when one of their staff contracted COVID-19 from a non-healthcare related site. As such, the team had to look for another cabling vendor, walk the site, explain the plan and negotiate the pricing with them before work could begin in earnest within two days. This was made even more challenging as it coincided with a public holiday.
Other challenges included how the team had to deviate from normal procedures of setting up
wireless access points (AP) near the ceiling, as the height exceeded the safety rules and the use of scissor lifts and scaffolding was not possible. To get around it, the team brainstormed and worked with the tentage vendor to rig the AP around the tentage frames instead.
To protect clinical staff and reduce unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, KTPH is considering the use of
Vital Signs Monitoring (VSM) and exploring the feasibility of integrating it with its Electronic Medical Record. Discussions are ongoing as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.
Throughout the process, IHiS worked closely with KTPH stakeholders and respective vendors to ensure that the holding area could be up and running within the stipulated timeframe. Everyone’s constructive views, collaborative ways and continuous refinement of the plan helped to ensure that the project was delivered with a high standard of quality.
