By harnessing all forms of technology, from IT to hydroponics, Changi General Hospital (CGH) has been able to provide better, faster and cheaper healthcare for its patients. To share this knowledge with the community its serves, CGH organised a TechMonth Open House for more than 1,200 students from the eastern region from 9 September 1999 to 10 September 1999.

This two day open house was officially opened by Ms Yong Ying-I, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology and the CEO-designate of the Information Technology and Telecommunication Authority (ITTA).

At the Open House, students saw how IT, medical science and other forms of technology is used to improve patient care. Many were delighted when they were introduced to robots that deliver meals for patients around the hospital and learnt how air pressure is used to transport small items such as blood samples and documents at a high speed throughout the hospital. They also learnt how certain medical equipment like the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

"Technology has certainly helped us to bring about dramatic improvement in our work. However it is still the caring attitude and the human touch that are still the most important."

are used to detect abnormalities in the body. On a greener note, the students also learnt a different type of technology, witnessing first hand the science of growing vegetables at our rooftop hydroponic garden.

During the tour, they were also given a glimpse of how the hospital uses information technology to create a Òdigital nervous systemÓ for a more responsive healthcare model. This system will break down the barriers of time, place and form, making vital health information such as diagnosis, test results and medical history readily available to the patients, their doctors and other care providers. Through quick access of such information, decisions on treatment can be made quickly, improving the clinical outcome. CGH has successfully pioneered the first model of this system at our A&E and has developed a new enhanced system for its specialist clinics.

Mr Chua Song Khim, Chief Operating Officer said : ÒTechnology has certainly helped us to bring about dramatic improvement in our work. However it is the caring attitude and the human touch that are still the most important.