AMK-THKH Newsletter Issue 1 of 2012 - Thye Hua Kwan Hospital

Ang Mo Kio - Thye Hua Kwan Hospital
REACHING Out
MICA (P) 197/12/2012 A Quarterly Newsletter, ISSUE NO. 01/2012
Mr Members Lee Kim of Siang our Board (centre), of Directors Chairman celebrating of International Day
Thye with our Hua staff Kwan from Moral the Indonesia Society (THKMS) booth
addressing staff
International Day 2012 At
Ang Mo Kio - Thye Hua Kwan Hospital
Ang Mo Kio - Thye Hua Kwan Hospital (AMK-THKH) was abuzz with activity
as our staff celebrated our 2nd International Day on 1 June 2012. Among
the many staff activities it runs yearly, the Hospital set aside a day to
celebrate the strength of its diverse staff culture, calling it International Day.
With a “Hawker Fair” theme, booths were set up by staff from China,
India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and
Singapore to share their cultural heritage and national cuisines. Popular
dishes such as the Thai Green Curry and the Indonesian Nasi Tumpen
(Cone Shaped Yellow Rice) were prepared by staff for their colleagues.
Competitions from Best Dressed Staff to Best Decorated Booths and
even Best Dessert were held, with much fanfare. The Hospital’s Board
of Directors gamely participated in the activities at each booth as they
celebrated the strength of each culture.
Ms Felicia Liaw, Secretary for Medical Services summed it up best, “The
event was particularly meaningful and fun as it created opportunities for
us to learn and understand each another’s culture and values.
continued on next page4
IN THIS ISSUE ...
4International Day 2012 At Ang Mo Kio
- Thye Hua Kwan Hospital
4AMK-THKH Team Recognised For
Service Excellence
4Volunteering Opened Doors To A
New Career
4Rehabilitation: The Art Of
Reviving Patients’ Functionality
4Together, We Work Towards Achieving
Excellence
4On Her Feet Again, Despite All Odds
4The Road To Regaining My Functional
Independence
4Welcoming The Year Of The Dragon
With Our Patients
4Celebrating The Science And Art Of
Occupational Therapy
4Recycled Art The AMK-THKH Way
4Our Patients Say It Best
4Continual Learning At AMK-THKH ​
4My Learning Journey: An Intern
Shares Her Experience
​
4Health Bites - Good Health Starts From
Your Work Station
1-2
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3-4
4-5
6
7
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9
9
10
10
11
11
12
1

4continued from previous page
Highlights Of The Event
4continued from previous page
Ms Yu Shaomei (Runner-Up), Ms Felicia Liaw (Winner)
and Ms Srreesanthya (Second Runner-Up) of the
“Best Dressed” Competition (from left)
A spread of local delights prepared by our staff
from The Philippines
Prof Ang Chong Lye, Deputy CEO (extreme left)
with our PAPV team
AMK-THKH Team Recognised
For Service Excellence
Twenty staff from Ang Mo Kio - Thye
Hua Kwan Hospital (AMK-THKH) were
awarded the Singapore Health Quality
Service Award (SHQSA) this year. Our
award recipients included doctors,
nurses, therapists, medical social
workers, ancillary and administrative
executives. The award is dedicated
to top service performers who have
gone the extra mile in delivering
quality service in the public healthcare
sector.
One of our award recipients, Ms
Carmen Lok, Medical Social Worker
(MSW) shared that her passion
is to help her patients receive the
support they need even after they are
discharged from AMK-THKH.
Besides the individual award category,
AMK-THKH also received a Merit
Award for its service improvement
initiative, ‘Pre-Admission Patient
Visits’ (PAPV). Initiated in 2010, the
PAPV team visits patients prior to
transfer to AMK-THKH from Khoo
Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and Tan
Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). This
initiative has enabled the Hospital to
identify patients with clinical and social
issues that did not surface during the
referral process, allowing the AMK-
THKH inter-disciplinary team to better
prepare for each patient's admission.
About SHQSA
Established by the Singapore Health
Services in 2011, the SHQSA aims to
further strengthen service excellence
and patient satisfaction in the
healthcare sector. The SHQSA 2012
ceremony held on 13 January 2012
was graced by Mr Gan Kim Yong,
Minister for Health.
continued on next page4
Volunteering Opened Doors
To A New Career
For Mr Mazlan Bin Senawi, a Senior
Therapy Assistant at AMK-THKH for
the past six years, it took a trip to
the AMK-THKH Day Rehabilitation
Centre (DRC) to find his calling.
Mazlan shared his first experience at
AMK-THKH, “When I followed my
mother for her exercises at the DRC, I
was impressed with the professionalism
of the therapy team and the emphatic
manner with which they treated my
mother. Their personable manner
and constant smiles to encourage the
patients including my mother struck
a chord within me. It was something
that I thought I should do as well.”
Mazlan who was working as a chef at
that time, decided to volunteer at the
DRC to learn more about the roles of
therapy assistants. This proved to be
his first step towards a career change.
“I used to volunteer two to three
times a week at the DRC and looked
forward to each session. The therapy
team was very friendly and gave me
very good advice on the requirements
and the temperament of a therapist.
I truly enjoyed interacting with the
outpatients at the DRC and helping
them in their recovery process.”
Convinced that this was indeed the
ideal career for him, Mazlan joined
AMK-THKH as a Therapy Assistant
in 2006. As part of his training,
Mazlan obtained a Nitec Certificate in
Community Care and Social Services
and subsequently underwent on-thejob
training at AMK-THKH.
It is a career change that Mazlan
considers one of his best decisions
ever. “My past six years with AMK-
THKH have been very fulfilling.
I love working with my fellow
therapists and patients to help our
patients get back on their feet again,”
shared Mazlan.
With an ever ready smile and a friendly
wave, Mazlan is a familiar and popular
Our award recipients with Mr S.Vivakanandan, CEO, AMK-THKH (centre left) and
Prof Ivy Ng, Group CEO of SingHealth (centre right)
Mr Mazlan (above), one of our recipients of
the Singapore Health Quality Service Award
continued on next page4
AMK - THKH REACHING OUT 3

4continued from previous page
sight in the wards and the therapy
gym. And commendations from
patients, caregivers and colleagues
are never ending.
“Mazlan is a very caring therapy
assistant who gives his utmost service
to patients. I am touched by his
undivided attention to my sister who
was assisted by him for her therapy
exercises,” said Ms Judy Low, our
patient’s family member.
The plaudits do not end there. He
was also recently commended at the
SHQSA Awards Ceremony for his
initiative in helping a member of the
public who had suffered cuts and
bruises after a fall. He helped the
injured person into a taxi, accompanied
him to a polyclinic and ensured that
he received proper medical care. He
even declined to be reimbursed for the
taxi fare by the grateful individual.
For Mazlan, the assistance he offered
to the stranger in need was just an
extension of his role as a healthcare
worker. “When I saw that he needed
help, I just did what I can to help
him. It was natural for me to help
the injured man. I did not think of
anything else other than his wellbeing,”
said Mazlan.
Rehabilitation -
The Art Of Reviving
Patients’ Functionality
4continued from previous page
Why did you take up Occupational Therapy?
Zubaidah: I was actually an accidental therapist! After my ‘A’ Levels, I was offered the option to take up a Diploma in
Occupational Therapy. To my pleasant surprise, I fell in love with the discipline within the first week of class and have not
looked back since!
Lynn: I have always wanted to be in the healthcare industry since I was young. As clichéd as it sounds, I have always been
impressed by the caring and emphatic nature of healthcare staff and how their personal touch can make a difference in
improving patients’ conditions.
As an Occupational Therapist, how do you motivate patients during their initial
assessments?
Zubaidah: When I first see a patient, I discuss with them the activities they enjoyed doing before the onset of their illness.
My main aim is to help them regain their ability to participate in the activities that they enjoyed previously.
Lynn: I believe each patient has differing needs and motivations. I enjoy motivating our patients with individualised
therapy programmes that they enjoy rather than simply looking at the rehabilitation programme as an exercise. This, I
believe, can motivate them to achieve their rehabilitative goals.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) play an
integral role at AMK-THKH in helping
our patients re-integrate into the
community by helping them improve
or regain their functional abilities and
achieve a degree of independence in
performing their daily routines.
As part of AMK-THKH’s continuing
efforts to strengthen its healthcare
team, we are delighted to welcome
two new Senior Occupational
Therapists, Ms Lynn Foo and Ms Siti
Zubaidah to our family.
continued on next page4
What are your thoughts about the role of Community Hospitals(CHs) in patient care?
Zubaidah: In a CH environment, the longer length of hospitalisation allows us to know our patients better and design
individualised rehabilitative programmes. Our aim here is to reintegrate our patients into the community as soon as
possible. We aim to help them regain a lifestyle similar to that before their illnesses befell them.
Lynn: We are able to spend more time with our patients here. We are thus able to see our patients through their treatment
programme and assess the benefits of our intervention. It also allows us to tweak our intervention based on patients’
responses over a period of time to achieve the best possible results.
Why did you choose to work in a environment with predominantly geriatric patients?
Zubaidah: I have always enjoyed working with senior citizens. It is always refreshing to interact with them and draw on
their enormous life experience.
Lynn: As we enter into an era where more needs to be done for our ageing population, I want to enable our elderly to
achieve a good degree of independence so that they can continue to have a fulfilling life as they enter the autumn years. It
is personally very satisfying for me when I see patients who came into AMK-THKH on stretchers walk out of the Hospital
independently with the aid of just a quad stick.
Zubaidah (left)
helping her patient
integrate back to
society through
household activities
Lynn (left) assisting her
patient during one of
the OT sessions in the
therapy gym.
Ms Lynn Foo with Ms Siti Zubaidah (right) showcasing some of the
cognitive equipment used during occupational therapy sessions with patients
AMK - THKH REACHING OUT 5

Together, We Work Towards
Achieving Excellence
Ms Sherry Goh, Chairperson of the Quality
Week Committee and Assistant Manager
(Clinical Quality), Corporate Excellence Office
shared, “Our Hospital’s first Quality Week
was aimed at highlighting the importance of
providing excellent service for our patients.
Most importantly, we aim to work together
as a team to enhance the care and treatment
we provide for our patients.”
Best Voted Poster 'Maximising Utility of
AMK-THKH Therapy Gym'
AMK-THKH held its first Quality
Week from 8-11 November last
year. With the theme “Serve to
Wow”, our Quality Week inspired
our staff to achieve service
excellence through a series of
activities and staff engagement
programmes. Games and quizzes
were creatively designed at our
activity booths to better develop
our staff in attaining healthcare
knowledge for optimum
healthcare delivery. Games that
were played in groups, also
promoted teamwork.
In addition to activity booths,
workshops and educational talks
were also conducted. Topics
were angled towards enhancing
work performance and acquiring
good working attitudes to achieve
service excellence.
The first workshop, “Professional
Etiquette” by Mr Cidi Wee
demonstrated how positive
working attitude and teamwork
contribute to productivity and
delivering excellence through
dialogue sessions with the
participants.
The second workshop, “Pitching
for Success” drove home the
importance of service excellence
and clinical quality through
meeting expectations and
introducing the three service
principles - Apologise, Inform
and Assist (AIA).
A poster competition also
attracted multiple abstracts
from participants, of which 11
entries made it into the finals.
The project “Maximising Utility
of AMK-THKH Therapy Gym”
bagged the Best Voted Poster
award while the other project
“Achieving 100 percent success
in ensuring that all inpatients
receive therapy within the first
day of their admission” edged
other participating groups to win
the “Best Poster” competition.
Both winning teams came from
Therapy Services.
Madam Koh performing her household chores independently
On Her Feet Again,
Despite All Odds
Madam Koh Mui Kwee and her family
faced a life of poverty when her
husband passed away 30 years ago.
For years, Madam Koh shuffled various
jobs to make ends meet. Working as a
dishwasher, she toiled on her feet for
more than 10 hours a day.
Long hours of standing and squatting
strained her knees to such great
extent that Madam Koh started
experiencing unbearable pain in her
knees as she approached her forties.
Eventually, Madam Koh underwent
total knee replacement surgery at
the Singapore General Hospital after
her osteoarthritis worsened. She was
subsequently transferred to AMH-
THKH for rehabilitation.
Fearful and confused, Madam Koh
was skeptical of her recovery. Initially,
Madam Koh refused to move her
knees when our therapy assistant, Ms
Lilian Lee started her on simple knee
exercises. Madam Koh explained,
“The pain was excruciating! After
slogging for years, I underwent a knee
replacement surgery and worried about
supporting myself after my discharge,”
she continued. Concluding that her life
was ill-fated, she was negative about
the rehabilitation programme.
However, our therapy team motivated
her by sharing successful stories
of patients whom they helped and
recovered progressively. Ms Ong Sze
Chi, the physiotherapist in-charge
of her, encouraged Madam Koh
whenever she made improvements.
This gradually built up Madam
Koh’s confidence and she became
determined to put in more efforts in her
therapy exercises.
Ms Doris Wu, her occupational therapist
also placed her in their Saturday
Group Therapy Exercise to lift up her
mood and build up her confidence.
“Such social interaction cheered her
up and encouraged her to have a
positive outlook about life”, explained
Doris.
Madam Koh’s hard work paid off.
She was able to walk independently
with the help of a walking stick upon
discharge. As Madam Koh faced
financial difficulty, AMK-THKH also
paid for the installation of grab bars in
her toilets through its Patient Welfare
Fund.
Three months on, Madam Koh shared
that she now experiences less pain in
her knees and her physical movements
were better than before. Madam Koh
is grateful for what the team at AMK-
THKH has done for her.
AMK - THKH REACHING OUT 7

The Road To Regaining My
Functional Independence
Madam Kathy Tan Geok Poey is
one of our outpatients who attend
weekly rehabilitation sessions at our
Day Rehabilitation Centre (DRC).
Since August last year, she has been
undergoing rehabilitation at the DRC
twice weekly.
Madam Tan suffered from a stroke
in May last year which resulted in
her loss of movement control over
the right side of her body. She was
subsequently admitted to AMK-THKH
for rehabilitation.
For the first time in her life, she felt a
sense of loss and despair as the stroke
robbed her of her independence.
Fortunately, she was very encouraged
by her family as well as the AMK-
THKH therapy and nursing teams.
“Their smiles uplifted my spirits.
They will always ask how I am doing
before I start my daily rehabilitation
exercises,” said Madam Tan.
Gradually, her condition improved
and this built up her confidence.
With continuous perseverance and
determination, she achieved a good
level of independence being able to
walk albeit slowly, but independently.
Motivated by her progressive recovery,
she continued with outpatient
rehabilitation at our DRC to achieve
greater functional independence.
Our team of physiotherapists and
occupational therapists mapped out
a series of exercise programmes
designed to restore Madam Tan’s
motor functions.
Today, guided by her physiotherapists,
Madam Tan works on machines such
as the stationary bicycle, treadmill
and hand cycles which strengthen
her hand and leg muscles. Her
occupational therapist guides
her through hand and upper limb
rehabilitation, including action-related
activities such as clipping, hammering
and playing wii games at the centre.
“I enjoy playing the wii games which
help me stay physically and mentally
active. I enjoy them so much that I
play them at home with my family”,
chirped Madam Tan.
Madam Tan always looks forward
to her rehabilitation sessions. “The
therapists are very committed to
their work and the environment is
very conducive for patients to carry
out their rehabilitation exercises.
I feel relaxed because I know the
therapists will always be there to help
me throughout my rehabilitation
sessions”, shared Madam Tan.
Now, Madam Tan is able to walk
confidently and with better stability. A
very motivated patient, she exercises
on her gym ball regularly at home. She
also challenges herself to lift weights
to strengthen her legs. An avid dancer,
Madam Tan aims to return to the
dance floor soon!
Welcoming
Dragon
With Our
Patients
The Year Of The
AMK-THKH welcomed the year of the Dragon with a visit by our Board members
who presented patients and staff with gift packs containing Mandarin Oranges
on 16 January 2012.
This was followed by a Lo Hei Celebration on 2 February 2012. The celebration
included an energetic Lion Dance followed by a scintillating Dragon Dance
performance that drew cheers and applause from patients and staff.
The celebration culminated with the Board of Directors joining patients and
staff for ‘Lo Hei’, with a toast towards good health and a joyous Lunar New
Year ahead.
Said our patient, Mr Teng Mook Soon, 61, who participated in the Lo Hei
Celebration, “It was really enjoyable tossing the Lo Hei with the staff and
other patients. I am very happy to have made a good start to the new year. ”
Dr Lee conveying his best
wishes for the Lunar New Year
to Madam Kwa Geok Keng
A participant taking on the challenge of
identifying the various office ergonomics
hazards at the activity booths
Celebrating
The
And
Science
Art of
Occupational
Therapy
In conjunction with Occupational
Therapy (OT) Day 2012, patients
and staff at AMK-THKH participated
in a 2-day exhibition organised by
its Occupational Therapists (OTs)
on 11 and 12 January 2012.
Held at the Hospital, the exhibition
provided insights into the various
exercises our OTs engage our
patients in during their therapy
sessions. The OTs also educated
the participants on home safety,
ergonomics as well as fall
prevention tips.
Besides organising lunchtime talks
on home safety, fall prevention
and ergonomics for staff, our OT
team also reviewed the designs
of colleagues’ workstations to
minimise the risks of developing
injuries.
Ms Wendy Lum, our System
Administrator was happy with
the revised workstation design
recommended by her OT colleagues.
She said: “I can work more
comfortably now at my work station
after the adjustments and this has
improved my work efficiency.”
Madam Tan with Ms Doris Wu,
our Occupational Therapist
Madam Tan with Ms Lynn Foo,
our Occupational Therapist
AMK - THKH REACHING OUT 9

Ms Lily Koh (left) with our patient.
Recycled Art The
AMK-THKH Way
Get ready to embrace a greener
environment at AMK-THKH as
volunteers and patients create
beautiful works of art using recyclable
materials such as plastic bags,
straws, fruit nets and raffia strings.
This is a new initiative by its Care and
Counselling (C&C) Department and
volunteers which started in February
this year.
Held on alternate Fridays, the art
sessions are conducted by a group
of dedicated volunteers who are very
I am glad to have a group of friendly
nurses who cheered me up and
provided me with excellent care when
I stayed in AMK-THKH. I was
admitted after a second operation on
my legs. I thought I will not be able to
walk again.
Thankfully, my physiotherapist
Caroline encouraged me and built up
my confidence. Under her care, I was
soon able to walk with the help of a
walking stick. I had progressed well
during my stay at the Hospital. I am
now working hard towards walking
independently without the support of
a walking stick.
Ms Ng Siew Ying, discharged patient
passionate about sharing the art of
transforming recyclable materials into
beautiful handicraft.
Patients learn how plastic bags can
be woven into different floral shapes
by combining metal wires and paper.
They are also introduced to the art
of creating floral arrangements using
pots and baskets. These activities aim
to help patients maintain an active
and alert mind while fostering their
creativity in creating unique works of
art.
My parents were both admitted to
AMK-THKH for rehabilitation this
year. I am thankful to the nurses and
staff who showed care and concern
towards my parents, especially those
who took care of my mother. They
are very committed to their work and
carry out their duties diligently. Thank
you to all nurses and staff of Ward 3.
Our volunteers, Mylene and Lily Seah with patient
Ms Lily Koh, one of the volunteers
leading the activity said, “Most patients
who attended the sessions showed
great interest in art and craft work. I
am delighted that they appreciated
what I taught them.”
Said Madam Ng Wan, a patient who
participated in the session: “This
activity is fun and interesting! I never
knew that we can make flowers from
recycled materials such as plastic
bags and straws.”
Other activities conducted by the C&C
Department and volunteers include
Karaoke Sessions, Indoor Games,
Mobile Library and Delight Cart.
Our
Patients
Say
From the family of Mdm Goh Boon Khian
It Best
Continual
Learning
At
AMK-THKH
Continuing Medical Education
Seminars at AMK-THKH
AMK-THKH has been collaborating
with fellow colleagues from other
healthcare institutions to organise
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
seminars on geriatric care for our
healthcare team. These seminars
equip our healthcare team with
knowledge and skills; enhancing our
patient care and treatment.
In March 2012, the Hospital invited
allied health professionals to share
with the team the latest developments
in Trachy Care, Amputee Management
in Elderly as well as home-based
geriatric care management. Said
Dr Kelvin Phua, Assistant Director
of Medical Services in AMK-THKH:
“These sessions are very rewarding
as I can learn more about the latest
developments in geriatric care."
Participants listening attentively at the CNE session
Continuing Nursing Education
Seminar at AMK-THKH
As Singapore moves to manage
the needs of an ageing population,
the demand for palliative care is set
to increase as well. The Hospital’s
Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
seminars have played a key role in
upgrading our healthcare team’s
palliative care skills and knowledge.
We were honored to have Professor
Sheila Payne, Director of the
International Observatory On End
Of Life Care at Lancaster University,
United Kingdom at our recent CNE
seminar in April. Professor Payne
shared with our team her research
findings on the palliative care needs
of patients suffering from heart failure
and stroke as well as areas of palliative
care that need to be improved.
The session proved to be a stimulating
experience for our staff as Professor
Payne’s research findings provided
insightful observations on how the
elderly coped with changes in their
lives after their illnesses as well as
issues faced by patients and their
family members. Kevin Chiam, Nursing
Officer of AMK-THKH said “The
session covered a broad perspective
of palliative care which will help us
look at ways to ensure that our elderly
patients get the best possible care at
all times.”
Ms Jocelyn Toh (left), a 3rd year student with
the Singapore Institute of Management
My Learning
Journey:
An Intern Shares Her
Experience
AMK-THKH has developed itself into
a centre of training and education;
engaging, educating and inspiring
students. Students from various
educational institutions such as
Ms Jocelyn Toh are placed on job
attachments with the Hospital.
It has been a fun and
enjoyable experience…
“I enjoy helping patients and most
importantly, I am able to help patients
and their families identify as well as
address their financial and social
needs during their hospitalisation
stay and upon discharge. That is why
I decided to major in Social Work.
During this 10-week attachment
programme, I gained a better
understanding of the value of Social
Work. My short-term attachment
exposed me to a range of educational
prospects, which included performing
interviews with our patients and
their family members, understanding
our patients’ needs, updating their
progress reports and discharge
planning.
My fellow colleagues were extremely
supportive and encouraged me
by providing me opportunities to
practise what I learnt. A positive
attitude and an open mind are
important in helping me to be a good
social worker. I truly appreciate my
colleagues who guided me during my
attachment.” said Ms Jocelyn Toh,
attachment student with our Care
and Counselling Department.
AMK - THKH REACHING OUT 11

Health Bites:
Good Health
Starts From Your
Work
Station
Lighting
Ensure that no lights shine directly
into your eyes or at the back of your
workstation to avoid reflection. All
lights facing the monitor or workstation
should be tilted at an angle of 45
degrees to create a comfortable
working environment.
Regular Breaks
(Observe the 20-20-20 rule)
Look at an object 20 feet away
from you every 20 minutes for 20
seconds.
Your Sitting Posture
Step 1: Adjust the height of
your chair to ensure that your lower back is
fully supported by the chair. Consider using a
small pillow or back rest for support
if your chair is not adjustable.
Step 4: Ensure that your
desktop monitor is centered.
Relax your shoulders and maintain
your elbows and wrists at a
comfortable angle.
Step 5: Ensure that your
desktop monitor is at eye level.
This will help prevent eye
and neck strains.
Mr Xu Tianma,
our Principal
Occupational
Therapist provides
some tips.
Step 2: After adjusting the chair,
ensure your knees are bent
comfortably at an angle of
90 degrees, with your feet
lying flat on the floor.
Have a foot rest in place for
better support if your feet are
unable to rest comfortably
on the ground.
Desktop Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse
Step 3: Commonly used items (e.g. keyboard,
mouse and telephone) should be placed near
you or at a comfortable range within your
reach. This enables you to access them
easily without twisting or moving
too much of your body.
AMK - THKH REACHING OUT 12