Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment (2025)

Exclusive

Healthcare

Gwyneth Bejer

,Singapore

Published:

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment (1)

Dr David Sing / Shutterstock.com

The Singapore hospital combines expertise from ENT, psychiatry, and respiratory medicine.

Snoring, often dismissed as a harmless quirk of sleep-deprived Singaporeans, may signal a bigger problem. Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) is addressing this concern with an integrated sleep service.

Sleep apnoea, a disorder characterised by breathing interruptions, remains largely underdiagnosed in Singapore, Lee Chuen Peng, a TTSH Respiratory and Critical Care specialist, toldHealthcare Asia. “This can lead to further medical problems.”

Singaporeans are the most sleep-deprived amongst 17 markets surveyed by UK-based YouGov in December 2023, with 54% getting less than the recommended seven hours of sleep daily.

Lee said Singapore is gradually building its capabilities in sleep medicine, and TTSH’s integrated sleep service, which is still in its pilot phase, refers patients to a pool of trained general sleep practitioners at the hospital, including respiratory physicians, neurologists, psychiatrists, and ENT specialists.

In line with this, TTSH, Singapore's second-largest acute care general hospital, offers continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which Lee described as “the golden standard.”

“We start patients on the therapy,” he said. “They go through a session where we help them select a mask. We then loan the device for a month-long trial period.”

At the end of the trial, the CPAP device is returned and the data is analysed to assess the treatment's effectiveness.“More than 50% of patients typically choose to continue using CPAP as their main form of therapy.”

The patient is then referred to the device vendor, though they need to return to Tan Tock Seng for follow-up appointments.

If needed, a sleep study is conducted before presenting the patient with more management options. “Complicated cases may be referred to speciality services at the sleep centre.”

TTSH categorises sleep studies into four levels to ensure patients get tailored care. For instance, Level 2 studies can benefit stroke patients, a group where obstructive sleep apnoea prevalence reaches 70%, Lee, who has a subspecialty in sleep medicine, said.

Level 2 studies are usually carried out at the hospital’s integrated care hub where most patients undergo ambulatory rehabilitation. Sleep technologists use portable testing equipment at their bedside.

Lee said these sleep studies could take a lot of work, adding that complex cases could take as long as two hours. “We need to examine every 30-second interval of sleep on a page-by-page basis”

The hospital is looking at how artificial intelligence (AI) could help analyse sleep recordings to automatically detect sleep stages. “Eventually, we aim to incorporate AI into the sleep laboratory processes,” Lee added.

The hospital has also launched initiatives, such as the Sleeptight Study, which seeks to improve sleep in patients in critical care settings.

“We have conducted studies using ‘sleep well bundle’ interventions,”Lee said. “These include reducing noise levels, ensuring appropriate lighting, enhancing comfort, promoting natural sleep cycles, and implementing patient-centred approaches.”

“Specifically, we are exploring how much money we can save as a nation by preventing complications associated with sleep apnoea, such as heart attacks and strokes,” he added.

Lee said awareness is lacking among Singaporean citizens and even doctors. “Addressing these gaps will be essential to improving early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.”

Follow the linkfor more news on

Tan Tock Seng

hospitals

Also Read

Mahkota Medical Centre uses smart wards to speed up care

IHH Healthcare to face “flat earnings” growth in FY25F: report

JoinHealthcare Asia Magazinecommunity

Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you dight and create an advertising campaign, in print and digital, on this website and in print magazine.

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

I want to download the media kit

Most Read

1.APAC healthcare investments diversify as China dealmaking slows2.Singapore General Hospital develops app for neonatal jaundice screening3.Gleneagles HK and Varian partner to promote radiation oncology training4.Thailand’s private hospitals to face modest impact from copayment scheme5.Asian Hospital unveils major goals at “High Five para sa 2025”

Top News

IHH Healthcare to face “flat earnings” growth in FY25F: report

IHH Healthcare to face “flat earnings” growth in FY25F: report

Its Singapore operations are expected to soften in the same period.

Healthcare

2 days ago

Healthcare services and technology subsegments to grow 9% CAGR through 2028

Healthcare services and technology subsegments to grow 9% CAGR through 2028

HST profit pools are expected to nearly double the size of payer profit pools.

Healthcare

2 days ago

KFSHRC launches precision medicine services in family clinics

KFSHRC launches precision medicine services in family clinics

The service allows for the creation of targeted preventive and therapeutic plans.

Healthcare

2 days ago

Pantai Integrated Rehab opens first standalone centre in Pahang

Pantai Integrated Rehab opens first standalone centre in Pahang

It offers physiotherapy services for the communities of Temerloh and Mentakab.

Exclusives

Mahkota Medical Centre uses smart wards to speed up care

Mahkota Medical Centre uses smart wards to speed up care

The system gives nurses an extra hour and 34 minutes per patient for caregiving.

Healthcare

2 days ago

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment

The Singapore hospital combines expertise from ENT, psychiatry, and respiratory medicine.

Healthcare

2 days ago

Hong Kong seeks prescription for nursing shortage

Hong Kong seeks prescription for nursing shortage

The city must improve working conditions and offer nurses better pay.

Healthcare

Outpatient care eases pressure on Singapore hospitals

Outpatient care eases pressure on Singapore hospitals

Hospitalisation is more expensive due to room charges, nursing care, and other fees.

Healthcare

Event News

Co-Written / PartnerKPMG’s Peter Liddell advocates resilient healthcare solutions

He discussed the pressing challenges and transformative solutions shaping the future of healthcare in the Asia Pacific.

HealthcareMedical Fair Asia and Medical Manufacturing Asia fosters connections, collaborations in the healthcare and medical technology industry

Co-Written / PartnerHighlight your innovative medical initiatives at Healthcare Asia Awards, Medtech Awards, Pharma Awards 2025

HealthcareHealthcare Asia Awards 2024 Winner: IHH Healthcare Malaysia and Prince Court Medical Centre

Videos

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment (16)

Digital barriers challenge telemedicine access for vulnerable patients

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment (17)

Ageing Singaporean population boosts demand for senior care innovations

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment (18)

Taiwan strengthens myopia prevention through regular screenings

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment (19)

China’s high myopia rates spark national strategies

View more videos

Contact me about the awards

Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers seamless sleep apnoea treatment (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 6502

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.