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Singapore implement a Covid control centre

Innovative response

Singapore launched a dedicated emergency response healthcare centre in their Tan Tock Seng Hospital, just weeks before the COVID crisis, which has used innovative techniques to help co-ordinate responses to the crisis.

This centre has done a number of innovative things as part of their 34 widgets that they have developed to monitor specific elements of the outbreak and response. Other responses include:

At specific sites, like the National Centre for Infectious Disease (NCID)'s screening centre, it tracks the movement of staff and patients with real-time location sensors, which also record interactions, as well as equip staff to remind them to follow sanitary guidelines, not to mention detailed and more granular tracking of medical supplies. The centre uses big data analysis and AI to then predict demand on services, and allocate manpower or protective equipment accordingly.

Through a "command and control centre", they can also automate hospital processes like admission and bed allocation.

 

Specific issues addressed and anticipated impact

This type of command and control centre in a hospital, is unique, and allowed them to cope with the surge in cases in February. Using "data pooled from CCTV and location sensors, the Operations Command Centre was alerted to the surge" according to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital's Chief Operating Officer.

Organisations/institutions involved

Tan Tock Seng Hospital; National Centre for Infectious Disease