GLOBAL demand for healthcare services is expected to continuously expand in the future due to projected demographic shifts such as an increase in the ageing population, life expectancy and lifestyle diseases.
“By investing in the Early Warning Scoring System (EWS), Penang Adventist Hospital has put Penang at the forefront by being the only healthcare provider in the Asia Pacific region to implement the largest coverage of a fully automated EWS system for a 214 in-patient beds,” Chow said when he graced the official launching of fully automated early warning scoring system at the hospital this afternoon.
“I was told that the EWS system can help to greatly enhance the quality of its patient care and safety standards,” he added.
Statistics from Penang Global Tourism (PGT) revealed that in 2016, Penang received 347,100 healthcare travellers which contributed to about RM458,262,629 in revenue.
For 2017, the number of foreign patients arrival in Penang rose to 382,164 and this accounted for RM550, 274,088 in tourism receipt.
“I am confident the team at Penang Adventist Hospital will continue to initiate new ways in delivering its patient care, and to ensure not only Penangites but people from all over the world who come to Penang for medical care continue to have access to quality healthcare,” Chow added.
Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer of Penang Adventist Hospital, Dr Thomas Tean said following Penang Adventist Hospital’s most recent endeavour to meet community healthcare needs, they are using the opportunity technology presents to mankind .
“We have selected the Philips Healthcare’s IntelliVue Guardian Solution to provide a fully automated EWS system in our line of patient care,” he added.
Dr. Tean stressed the implementation and installation of the fully automated EWS also helps to realise potential economic benefits as it cuts down unnecessary medical costs.
Also present was senior director and business head of Philips, Bidur Dhaul and consul-general of Japan in Penang, Shinichiro Kanoya.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pic by Darwina Mohd Daud