MCI (P) 094/10/2018

01032019

FY2018 Q4

Occupational therapist Joseph Chua with a patient. A caring touch can be worth more than words.

ENRICHING LIVES: THE GIFT OF TOUCH

Transforming community care A Christian healthcare provider enriching lives in the communities

2 Bukit Batok Street 11,Singapore 659674

Vision Mission St Luke’s Hospital

giving.sg/slhfb.com/slhsgslh.org.sg

Soothing scents, soft music, hair grooming and gentle massage is often associated with spa therapy. Such a setting is also available in St Luke’s Hospital which started an enhanced therapy programme in March 2019 to better care for the emotional well-being of patients with dementia. The new programme, “The Gift of Touch”, “is not just aspa,” said Jean Lim, occupational therapist. Just as people go to spas to destress, patients with dementia who face challenges in communication “can also find comfort in similar settings”, said Jean. “This is even more important for patients whose activity and social interaction are impeded by their illnesses.”

The brain functions of patients with advanced dementia are often compromised. They may feel lonely and uncared for. With compromised brain functions, communication is difficult. With such conditions, “a caring touch can be worth more than words,” Jean said.

Caregivers will also be given a toolkit and training to provide “The Gift of Touch” to their family members. Jean was inspired to bring such care to St Luke’s Hospital, having seen how the Namaste Care Programme had

uplifted the spirits of late-stage dementia patients. Namaste Care Programme integrates compassionate nursing care with individualised activities for people with advanced dementia.

Core to the programme is to “honour the spirit within” the patient. It was developed by Joyce Simard, an eldercare social worker in the USA.

Jean, other occupational therapists and nurses in the dementia ward came up with a modified version to suit the hospital’s context.

The multi-disciplinary dementia care team at St Luke’s Hospital works in a purpose-built ward to manage inpatients’ medical, rehabilitation and social needs. The team includes doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical social workers. An outpatient team also provides integrated care for persons with dementia and caregivers in the community.

Loke Yee Woon (second from left) and his group in Our Kitchen Programme, a platform for seniors to build bonds and mutually support each other.

Using just straws, newspaper and bamboo skewers, participants were tasked to build a structure and protect an egg. As participants brainstormed and worked together, they got to know each other better. When the structures were dropped from a height, Loke Yee Woon’s group was the only one whose egg survived. He was very happy and said, “The activity was a good test of our teamwork, it was a very good experience.”

The activity, part of “Our Kitchen Programme”, represented the support vulnerable people needed during difficult times. Medical social workers who facilitated the session encouraged participants to stay connected and also to look out for others who do not have a social group.

Yee Woon, 77, joined the programme in the spirit of lifelong learning and to make new friends. Another participant, Chua Leong Hock, 87, was happy when she heard about Our Kitchen Programme as she could “learn new things”.

St Luke’s Hospital is a partner of Our Kitchen Programme launched by the National Council of Social Service to reduce risk of social isolation and improve quality of life for elderly aged 50 and above. For a dozen sessions over six weeks, participants met in St Luke’s Hospital to learn about healthy eating and cooking, form new friendships and gain new experiences.

Using the Lubben Social Network Scale, seniors were assessed on the quality of their relationships with families, neighbours and friends, such as the likelihood of sharing private matters and whether they would call on them for help. Those with lower scores are at risk of social isolation. Participants were grouped together, with a mix of those at risk and not at risk.

Medical social work manager Jasmine Yong said, “It is good for seniors to build a wider social network beyond their families and close friends. If a crisis happens, neighbours will be able to give immediate help.”

BONDING THROUGH FOOD

PREVENTING PRESSURE INJURIES

CHANGES IN NURSING LEADERSHIP

Staying inactive over a long time or abrasions from medical devices may cause pressure injuries on skin. Pressure injuries may lead to complications, prolonged hospital stay and frequent hospital admissions, affecting patients and their families.

A Pressure Injury Prevention Committee has been set up to systematically look at the prediction and prevention of pressure injury. The committee is chaired by Susie Goh, Executive Director of St Luke’s Community Wound Centre and St Luke’s Academy. Committee members include nursing heads from seven other community hospitals and nursing homes.

The committee aims to increase awareness of pressure injury prevention and management among healthcare workers and caregivers. The committee is also reviewing current pressure injury prevention practices, steering towards developing nationally-recognised protocols for the community care sector. To kick-start this initiative, the committee has carried out a survey to assess pressure injury knowledge among nurses. About 1,000 nurses from community hospitals, nursing homes and home care service took part in the survey, allowing the committee to understand the knowledge gaps.

Nurses from around Singapore learn how to turn and reposition a patient so as to prevent pressure injury during Pressure Injury Prevention Day.

A Pressure Injury Prevention Day conference was held to raise awareness and educate healthcare professionals about pressure injury. Emilio Galea, International Medical Director of Urgo Medical, was the guest speaker. He spoke about pressure injury staging. At the St Luke’s Community Clinic, nurses also educated family members about pressure injury. The event was on 30 November 2018.

The longest-serving Director of Nursing at St Luke’s Hospital, Susie Goh, has stepped down to take up the dual portfolio of Executive Director of St Luke’s Community Wound Centre and St Luke’s Academy. In her new role, she will further develop wound care, research, education and innovation, to

be an enabler among partners, patients and residents.

CEO Dr Tan Boon Yeow said, “Susie has nurtured a team of nurses who won individual accolades at national level (with more than a dozen healthcare humanity and MOH nurses merit awards). She established a reputation for excellent nursing care at the hospital, with thousands of written compliments and countless oral compliments from patients and caregivers. We are proud to be the first community hospital to have an Advanced Practice Nurse and a nurse honoured by Singapore’s highest award for the nursing profession, the President’s Award for Nurses. Susie received this award at the Istana in 2011.”

Susie Goh (first row, third from left), Alice Phua (first row, first from left) and nurses at the appreciation lunch on 20 December 2018.

Alice Phua, the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) has taken over as Director of Nursing. Alice has been ADON at St Luke’s Hospital for the last three years. She joined the hospital after years of distinguished service as a nursing educator and clinician at ITE and SGH respectively. Alice has assisted MOH in the development of nurses and won national and college awards for service excellence.

“Alice will continue working with our partners and patients,” said Dr Tan. “She strongly believes in mentoring the next generation and will build upon the strong foundation laid by Susie to take Nursing to an even greater level of significance for our patients and hospital.”

PRESSURE INJURY PREVENTION DAY

HEALTHCARE SUPERSTAR

President Halimah Yacob (left) with St Luke’s Hospital’s Superstar Award winner Yap Thian Yong (second from right).

When physiotherapist Yap Thian Yong heard that his terminally ill patient’s last wish was to visit Gardens by the Bay with her family, he planned the outing for them. He wanted to be more than “just a therapist who helps them to walk again,” he says.When patients are reluctant to take part in therapy sessions, Thian Yong listens to their concerns and finds creative ways to help. When an elderly patient did not like to exercise, Thian Yong introduced different exercises into the patient’s daily activities. The patient regained his mobility and could walk around with his walking frame instead of being wheelchair-bound.

An advocate for care innovation, Thian Yong helped implement ceiling track harnesses to support patients when they are doing walking and balancing exercises. Working with colleagues in the Rehabilitation Division,

the harnesses have been implemented as part of the hospital’s rehabilitation programme to help patients to regain their confidence as they perform more challenging exercises in a safe environment. This helps their earlier return to independence as they regain mobility in a shorter time.

Working at St Luke’s Hospital for three years, Thian Yong’s dedication won him the Superstar Award in the allied health category at the Singapore Health Quality Service Award (SHQSA). He received the award from President Halimah Yacob on 15 January 2019.

Thian Yong was one of the 37 winners from St Luke’s Hospital at the SHQSA ceremony. The hospital’s dementia care team won the Best Team (Merit) Award for improving the care for persons with dementia in the community. The team delivers integrated care through a mobile multi-disciplinary team that conducts regular assessments and implemented interventions for persons with dementia, and provides psychosocial support to their caregivers.

The SHQSA organised by Singapore Health Services is a nationwide platform to honour healthcare professionals who have demonstrated remarkable commitment in delivering quality care and excellent service.

Patient Tan Boon Whee “felt happier”, thanks to the festive cheer brought by HP Inc. volunteers.

SHARING THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Staff from HP Inc visited St Luke’s Hospital bearing gifts of song and good tidings. The visit was organised by HP’s Social Impact Committee, which aims to make a difference to people, their communities and the environment in Singapore.

Technical Consultant Leon Yeo, who coordinated the visit on 18 December 2018, said, “We are happy when we see that others are happy.” His colleague Hun Tiang Kok said, “The activity was very meaningful. The patients were very welcoming. They also cheered us up, we had fun together.”

One of the patients, Tan Boon Whee, said he “felt happier” with the festive cheer. Another patient, Norsidah Binte Wadi, said, “They try their best to make us happy, we appreciate that.”

Besides staff from HP, other volunteers also gave their time to enrich patients’ lives. When a violinist came to perform at the ward, Norsidah said, “I thought I would need to go to an opera house to see this, but here it’s free!”

HP also donated $5,000 to St Luke’s Hospital.

WILLING TO HELP A GOOD CAUSEYou can join us in our mission of enriching lives. • Donate online (giving.sg/slh)• Donate by cheque, credit card, GIRO (bit.ly/giveslh)• Donate in kind (email donor@stluke.org.sg)• Pray for our work of Serving, Loving, Healing• Pray for our patients, wish them good health• Share patient stories on fb.com/slhsg as they overcome challenges• Volunteer (giving.sg/slh)• Organise fundraisers during birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and other special occasions including sporting achievements• Inspire your colleagues, be corporate volunteers

As a charity hospital, most of our patients are lower income. They may have cancer, pneumonia, dementia, stroke, fractures, and may have undergone surgery and amputations. Your giving, big or small, can help them. To find out more, please call 6895 2776 or email donor@stluke.org.sg

CARING FOR THE WHOLE PERSONSt Luke’s Hospital cares for the whole person and seeks to enhance the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of patients’ well-being. This is all the more important when patients have complex, multiple needs.

Caring for the whole person, or holistic care, involves a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists, medical social workers, other allied health professionals and pastoral care staff working together to journey alongside patients in the recovery process. The care is extended to families through education and counselling, as illnesses not only affect patients but also their loved ones.

Medical social workers help patients and caregivers cope with financial, psychosocial and emotional issues, including referrals to community support services for continuity of care.

Ravi “fights on” to recover physically and emotionally. Boxing was one of his rehabilitation exercises.

COPING WITH GRIEF AND SURGERY

his notes and told him not to blame himself for so many things. “You’ve done your best,” she said.

After his mother’s passing, their rental flat lease also ended. Ravi was concerned about where to stay after discharge. To get another rental flat, he needed a housemate. Knowing there was another patient who was also looking for a housemate, Si Jie managed to apply for a rental flat for the two of them.

He is also thankful for Si Jie’s help. He said, “Si Jie was confident of getting things done. She planned ahead. I don’t think anyone would go to the extent that she did.”

M Ravi Sankar Morgan was his mother’s caregiver when she became ill and bedridden. He cared for her day after day, including changing of diapers, while holding a full-time job. During this period, he lost 20 kg. His mother passed away in June 2018. While he was still grieving, he had to go for an emergency operation on his leg.

He was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital after surgery. He was unable to walk and still bereaved. Medical social worker Leong Si Jie gave him a notebook to pen down his thoughts about his mother and what he wanted to tell her. Si Jie reviewed

St Luke’s Hospital, named after the patron saint of the medical profession, was the first hospital in Singapore dedicated to the elderly sick. We have expanded our services beyond the elderly to enrich more lives. An Institution of a Public Character, we care for 2,000 inpatients and 2,000 outpatients each year, regardless of race, language or religion. As illnesses may be long and chronic, we care holistically for patients’ physical, emotional and psychosocial well-being. Our services are available at inpatient, outpatient and home care. To find out more, visit slh.org.sg/patients-visitors/services or contact:

- Inpatient referral 6895 3290, referral@stluke.org.sg- Day rehabilitation centre 6895 3205, drc@stluke.org.sg- Home care 6895 3204, hcs@stluke.org.sg

- St Luke’s Community Clinic 6895 3230, outpatientclinic@stluke.org.sg