Sengkang General Hospital leads the way in automating sterile supply management
Its innovative storage and retrieval system, the first of its kind in Singapore’s healthcare sector, is setting new benchmarks for efficiency, safety and staff well-being
[SINGAPORE] As Singapore’s population ages rapidly, the demand for healthcare services is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years. According to the Ministry of Health, by 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 or above, placing unprecedented pressure on hospitals to deliver faster, safer and more efficient care.
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.
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The system is powered by a sophisticated Warehouse Management System (WMS) that integrates seamlessly with the hospital’s existing Theatre Inventory Management system (TIMs) and the surgical listing system, creating a three-way integration that supports surgical instrument tracking. This integration eliminates the need for double data entry, ensuring accuracy and streamlining workflows.
As soon as a surgery is scheduled, the instrument tracking system references the listed table codes and surgeon preferences, directing the WMS to pick the most suitable set of instruments, considering factors such as expiry dates, stock availability, and instrument condition.
The impact of the ASRS has been transformative. Quantitatively, the system has reduced retrieval times for surgical sets by 50 per cent and increased storage capacity by 75 per cent.
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It has also eliminated 100 per cent of duplicate data entry and reduced manpower requirements for inventory checks by 80 per cent.
Qualitatively, the ASRS has significantly improved staff satisfaction and work-life balance by minimising physically demanding tasks. The system’s real-time validation has also enhanced sterility assurance, reducing waste from unnecessary reprocessing.
Human-centred approach
The design thinking process employed in the development of the ASRS was comprehensive and user-centric. Extensive interviews were conducted with CSSU staff and other stakeholders to understand their needs and pain points.
This human-centred approach ensured that the final solution was not only technologically advanced, but also user-friendly and aligned with the hospital’s operational requirements.
Ethical considerations were also at the forefront of the project. By prioritising staff well-being and reducing physical strain, SKH has demonstrated a commitment to human-centred design.
The system also promotes sustainability by minimising waste through precise tracking and real-time monitoring, ensuring that sterile instruments are not unnecessarily reprocessed.
The hospital’s CSSU ASRS stands as a pioneering solution, setting a national benchmark for healthcare innovation. While the system itself has limited scope for expansion within SKH due to its tailored design, it has opened possibilities for integration with other systems, paving the way for a fully end-to-end automation ecosystem in healthcare operations.
With 2030 just around the corner, SKH has future-proofed itself operationally by providing a model that other healthcare institutions can adopt to achieve similar efficiencies and improvements; ultimately enhancing patient care and staff well-being.
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