Official Opening Of The Parkway Centre For Medical Simulation

25 Jun 2003

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan

Venue: Parkway Centre

Dr Lim Cheok Peng

Managing Director

Parkway Group Healthcare

Dr Brendan Flanagan

Medical Director

Southern Health Simulation and Skills Centre

Melbourne Australia

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very happy to be here today to join you for the opening of the Parkway Centre for Medical Simulation. First of all, let me congratulate Parkway Group Healthcare on this special occasion. I am happy to note that private healthcare organisations like Parkway are also embracing staff training, which will enhance the quality of patient care and safety. This will be the net result of the establishment of the Centre for Medical Simulation.

Lessons from SARS Outbreak

Recently, healthcare workers from both the public and private sectors stood bravely in the face of an unprecedented health crisis presented by SARS and successfully fought the enemy. The crisis, which had caught the world medical community off guard has also awakened in us the need to constantly raise the standard of our healthcare delivery and skills of healthcare workers, so as to anticipate and deal effectively with crisis-like scenarios.

One stark example the SARS crisis has taught us is the need for good infection control practices. Having been faced with chronic degenerative diseases and few infectious diseases in the past few decades, our healthcare professionals have less experience in managing infectious diseases. My Ministry had to develop an education program on SARS infection control techniques. I am glad that healthcare professionals accepted the need to don personal protective equipment and practise strict infection control measures when looking after patients. Over the past 2 - 3 months, healthcare workers have developed infection control skills. This has helped us to control the outbreak.

The challenge of SARS has further stretched our healthcare resources and raised the cost of healthcare provision. Use of personal protective equipment and the increase in time for medical procedures because of this, the need for temperature screenings of staff and visitors, the increasing need for isolation facilities, etc, all contribute to increased cost. To ensure that Singaporeans continue to enjoy quality healthcare at affordable cost, it is imperative to boost efficiency. One way to do this is through training. Good quality and effective training will also ensure consistent and high standards of healthcare.

As Singapore sets its sights to establish herself as a key player in the global healthcare services sector, it is essential that we raise the standard of healthcare and invest in cutting edge equipment and training methodologies. Other countries in the region are also investing heavily in their infrastructures to attract both international healthcare providers and patients. Hence in order for us to maintain our edge, Singapore has to do no less.

Role of Medical Simulation

The concept of using simulators in healthcare training is not new. Historically, both medical and nursing students have been exposed to simulator-like teaching methods during their education. Life-size mannequins have been used for students to practise their psychomotor skills before their actual encounter with patients. Skills, such as intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation are some examples of skills taught using simulators.

With advancement in technology, simulators used in healthcare training have become more sophisticated. Mannequin-based simulators linked to computer software make them capable of physiological functions, such as breathing, palpable pulses and pupillary reaction, to name a few. They are also able to respond to pharmacological intervention when a "drug" is given through bar-code recognition system. These mannequin-based simulators adapted from the aviation industry have created new excitement in the healthcare education system.

The key advantage of simulation training is that it enables healthcare professionals to practise their response to crisis-type scenarios over and over again, thereby arming them with skills and confidence. As a result, the healthcare professionals can sharpen their life-saving skills and react promptly and confidently to various medical situations in their practice. The best quality in patient care can thus be delivered and treatment outcomes will be tremendously improved.

I understand that simulation training has been used and has benefited many healthcare organisations in Europe, the US and all over the world.

Parkway Centre for Medical Simulation

I am pleased to note that Parkway Centre is leveraging on this ingenious and successful training model to strategically position Singapore as a prominent player in the international arena.

The opening of the Parkway Centre for Medical Simulation marks a significant step in the enhancement of clinical quality and patient safety in Singapore. Medical staff within the Group and other healthcare organisations from all over Asia will be able to tap on this training resource to achieve higher standards of patient care.

I wish you all success in your new endeavour.