16-05-2025
Sengkang General Hospital leads the way in automating sterile supply management
[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 Total Documentation (T-Doc) system, used for tracking surgical instruments. This integration eliminates the need for double data entry, ensuring accuracy and streamlining workflows.
