DERMA
DIGEST
Dedicated To Excellence In Dermatology and Venereology
Vol 66 Issue No.1 • JAN/FEB 2016 MCI (P) 091/09/2015
Introducing the NSC-NHGP
Tele-DERM service
Ang Li Li, Senior Clinic Executive
The attending NSC
Dermatologist, Consultant
Dr Heng Yee Kiat
(pictured), assessing a
photo of a patient provided
by the polyclinic via
the new e-consultation
service, Tele-DERM.
In January 2016, the National Skin Cen-
It also aims to provide appropri-
tre (NSC) embarked on its pilot project with
ate and timely appointments to
the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics
patients whose conditions war-
(NHGP) to provide Tele-DERM service to poly-
rant urgent medical attention.
clinic doctors by introducing a two way e-con-
With this e-consultation service, the doc-
saved an additional trip, as well as consul-
sultation service. Hougang Polyclinic which
tors at polyclinic have direct access to the
tation fees.
has a consistently high number of referrals to
dermatologist on call for his or her opin-
NSC, was selected for the pilot run.
ion and discuss treatment options during
Tele-DERM benefits both institutions with
clinic’s operating hours. For more accurate
its improved management of both the pa-
The aim of this project is to provide physician-
assessments, photos of the patient’s con-
tients’ waiting time and their skin condi-
to-physician telecommunication to polyclin-
dition will be taken and shared with the
tions, as a portion of the patients’ concerns
ics so that unwarranted referrals can be re-
consulting dermatologist. Both the attend-
can now be addressed more immediately
duced. This triaging will allow patients with
ing physician and consulting dermatologist
within the same visit.
simple skin problems to continue their treat-
can then decide on appropriate treatments
ment at the polyclinics, while saving appoint-
and the follow up recommendation for pa-
ment slots for those who are in genuine need
tient. If the doctors conclude that no refer-
of the appointments at NSC.
ral is required to the Centre, the patient is
NSC NEWS
New targeted phototherapy
device onboard for patients with
psoriasis and vitiligo
Wang Yu Yan, Senior Staff Nurse
On
20
January,
NSC’s Phototherapy
clinic introduced the
Levia – a personal
targeted phototherapy device that uses
UVB light for the
treatment of itchy
and scaly psoriatic
plagues and vitiligo
patches. This new
targeted phototherapy is a non-drug
option without the
potential side effects
that are typical of
pharmaceutical treatments. The Centre’s
trained phototherapy nurses are currently
using the new device to treat scalps and
small areas on the body.
New call bell
system in place
in DSC
Mohd Adnan Bin Mahmud, Nurse Clinician
The Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Control (DSC) Clinic
has recently introduced a call bell system
to inform doctors that their patients are
ready for examination . Previously, nurses
had to make multiple telephone calls to
the doctors and many doctors found the
shrill ringing to be disruptive.
The new call bell – a wireless doorbell
system – reduces the unnecessary calling
and results in a significantly less disruptive environment for the doctors.
Patients who are interested in the targeted
phototherapy treatment must first be assessed by their attending doctors and be
referred to the Phototherapy Clinic for further treatment.
HMDP report – Centre Hospitalier
Universitaire, Nancy, France
Dr Heng Yee Kiat, Consultant
I recently completed my HMDP training in
the Evaluation of Drug Hypersensitivity at
the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nancy,
France. I was there together with Senior
Staff Nurse Esther Tang from 9 November
to 29 November 2015 under the supervision
of Professor Annick Barbaud.
Consultant Dr Heng Yee Kiat (left)
here with some of his colleagues from
Department of Dermatology and Allergy
in Centre Hospitalier Universitaire,
Nancy, France.
The focus of my HMDP training was the
evaluation of suspected drug eruptions by
skin testing and systemic drug provocation
testing. The department is the regional referral centre for patients with drug allergies
and is well known throughout France and
the rest of the world for its work in evaluation of drug eruptions including severe cutaneous adverse reactions.
I had the opportunity to spend time in clinics
which manage patients with suspected drug
allergies and was privileged to observe their
practices in the outpatient setting as well as
DERMA DIGEST • Vol 66 Issue 1 • JAN/FEB 2016
in a day hospital and inpatient setting. The
department is also attended by patients
with general dermatological problems and
I observed how their doctors approach and
manage such cases.
Although the department is very busy, it is
well organised and performs a large number of tests daily. These include skin prick
and intradermal tests, patch tests and drug
provocation tests with either oral or intravenous drugs. I gained valuable experience in
the performance and interpretation of these
tests and learnt the finer practical points
in this area. I also familiarised myself with
their electronic system of recording tests
and results, which facilitates future data retrieval and research.
I hope to apply the knowledge gained to
improve our services in the drug eruption
clinic and to provide better patient care.
NSC NEWS
Food and Jumble Sale 2016
Nathalie Ng, Corporate Communications Executive
From famous Tau Sar Piahs* and Nutella
cupcakes to vintage dresses and well-loved
novels, the biennial NSC Food and Jumble
sale was a boisterous and enjoyable affair
for both staff and public alike. Jointly organised by the NSC Recreation Club and the
Green@NSC Committee and held on Tuesday, 26 January, staff across various departments set up booths selling a wide array of
food items as well as pre-loved clothing and
toys to raise funds for the Centre’s community out-reach efforts.
While it was a pleasant surprise for our patients, most of whom were visibly pleased
to browse the stalls and treat themselves
to the various food items, it was also an
equally enjoyable time for our staff as they
took a break from routine work to man the
stalls and interact with customers. The
Food and Jumble Sale raised a substantial
amount of funds, which will go a long way
in aiding the Centre in our community outreach efforts.
*sweet and salty bean pastries
NSC-RHS Health Screening: Skin Assessment
and STI Education
Nathalie Ng, Corporate Communications Executive
team, the community outreach health
screening was held at Cheng San Community
Club for select residents. There were booths
set up by fellow NHG partners to measure
blood pressure, height and weight, and the
Body Mass Index (BMI) for these residents.
Our medical staff from both NSC and DSC
provided general skin assessment for residents and educated them on STI.
(Left) Senior Resident Dr Wang Dingyuan
listening to one of the residents who
needed skin advice.
(Right) Nurse Clinician Mohd Adnan Bin
Mahmud educating a resident on STIs.
Starting the year off on an altruistic note, our
team of NSC volunteers – comprising of both
medical and administrative staff – provided
skin assessment and Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STI) education to members of the
public on a Saturday morning, 30 January.
Jointly organised with the National Healthcare Group’s Regional Health System (RHS)
Head of Nursing, Ms Brenda Lim found the
collaboration between NSC and RHS – the
second one to date – an effective way of conveying the importance of good dermatological
care among residents. “With this joint effort,
we are able to raise awareness among residents that monitoring skin health is as important as other aspects of general health.”
DERMA DIGEST • Vol 66 Issue 1 • JAN/FEB 2016
Staff News
Doctors’ Appreciation 2015 –
A Blast from the Past!
Nathalie Ng, Corporate Communications Executive
It was a laughter-filled walk down memory
lane as all staff was treated to a SG50-themed
performance by the doctors on Christmas Eve
last year. Staff both young and old was quizzed
on their knowledge of the history of the Centre with a light-hearted ‘Blast from the Past’
segment. where staff competed to recognise
old photos of NSC and its pioneer staff.
This was followed by the Long Service Awards
ceremony, where stalwart staffs were recognised for their steadfast years of service to
the Centre. The doctors then launched into
the ‘Dress Up’ Game, where six male doctors gamely volunteered to be dressed up
by staff members in accordance to popular
characters from the past – such as
the Samsui woman, TV personality Phua Chu Kang and the Sikh
doorman of Raffles Hotel, among
many others. The doctors sportingly carried out the roles of their
respective characters and put up
an impressive show, much to the amusement of the audience. Associate Consultant
Dr Roland Chu clinched the first prize for his
convincing and no less entertaining impression of the Samsui woman.
The event concluded with a humorous skit
performed by the doctors on traveling back
in time to NSC in its yesteryears, as well as
Promotions The sporting volunteers in their respective getups.
a heart-warming sing-along session led by
some of our senior doctors. The staff was
then treated to a delectable buffet spread of
local delicacies and spent the rest of the afternoon mingling and enjoying themselves.
( with effect from 1 January 2016)
Ling Yan Ling Janice
Tantisopani Bte
Mohd Apandi
Susila Theve
Ahmad Shufi Bin
Jasmani
Chua Rongyue Ryan
From Pharmacist to Senior
Pharmacist
From Senior Pharmacy
Technician to Pharmacy
Technician Executive
From Senior Executive
Assistant to Clinic
Executive
From Staff Nurse to
Senior Staff Nurse
From Staff Nurse to
Senior Staff Nurse
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Events
Date
19 Mar 2016
2 Apr 2016
9 Apr 2016
14 May 2016
18 Jun 2016
25 Jun 2016
16 Jul 2016
20 Aug 2016
3 Sep 2016
17 Sep 2016
24 Sep 2016
8 Oct 2016
17 Oct 2015
Title Nursing Seminar: Coping and Caring of Your Skin At Different Stages of Life
Certificate of Competence: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Medical Seminar: Updates on the Management of Acne
Medical Seminar: Practical Management of Psoriasis and Eczema General
Eczema Support Group Public Forum: Eczema in Children
Pharmacy Seminar: Diseases and Disorders of the Oral Cavity
Certificate of Competence: Derma Fillers
Certificate of Competence: Botulinum Toxin
Public Forum: The Top Ten Lists (Eng & Chn)
Certificate of Competence: Chemical Peels
Medical Seminar: Updates on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
Certificate of Competence: Laser Hair Removal
Certificate of Competence: Laser Hair Removal
Seminar for Nurses
General Practitioners
General Practitioners
Practitioners
Public
Pharmacists
General Practitioners
General Practitioners
Public
General Practitioners
General Practitioners
General Practitioners
General Practitioners
Fees
$5
$450* / $500
$5
$5
$5
$5
$450* / $500
$500
$5
$5
$450* / $500
$450* / $500
$450* / $500
* Early bird rate of $450 applies to registrations made at least one month before the workshop.
For enquiries on our seminars and public forums, please call the Training Department at Tel: 63508477 or email cephaslow@nsc.com.sg.
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National Skin Centre 1 Mandalay Road Singapore 308205 | Website: www.nsc.com.sg | www.facebook.com/NationalSkinCentre
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Fax: 6258 2475
Tel: 6350 6680
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DERMA DIGEST • Vol 66 Issue 1 • JAN/FEB 2016
Editorial: Ms Nathalie Ng
Advisors: Clinical A/Prof Tan Suat Hoon, Mrs Tang Lee Foon, Dr Lynette Low
This is an in-house publication for staff information only. Contents can be quoted or
reproduced with permission of National Skin Centre (S) Pte Ltd.
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