Synapxe

Synapxe Pte Ltd (formerly known as Integrated Health Information System, IHiS), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MOHH Holdings Pte Ltd, he holding company through which the Singapore Ministry of Health owns corporatised institutions in the public healthcare sector.[1] Synapxe describes itself as Singapore's national HealthTech agency and provides health information and information technology-related services.[2]

Synapxe Pte Ltd
Synapxe
FormerlyIntegrated Health Information System (IHiS)
Industry
  • Healthcare
  • Technology
Founded2008
FounderMinistry of Health, Singapore
HeadquartersSingapore
ParentMOHH Holdings Pte Ltd
Websitewww.synapxe.sg

History

IHiS was founded in 2008 by the Ministry of Health, Singapore.[3]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, IHiS developed several healthtech projects including, the Command, Control, and Communications (C3) System, which was co-developed with Tan Tock Seng Hospital, a healthtech project that provides real-time visibility on patient flow, staff deployment and inventory in a public hospital, giving an overview of the situation to decision makers. Key dashboards and monitors enable them to coordinate and provide better care for patients at a systemic level.[4][5]

One of the projects was the GPConnect system which was transferred to IHiS following the merger of Information Systems Division (ISD) of MOH Holdings and IHiS in November 2016. GPConnect system is an integrated IT system that comprises a Clinic Management System (CMS) and an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system originally developed under ISD to support daily GP clinic operations.

In January 2021, GPConnect was adopted and deployed within 2 weeks as the national EMR system for Singapore's COVID-19 vaccination operations (VacOps).[6][7][8][9] As well the VacOps program which was established to support Singapore's vaccination operations VacOps, with an aim to deploy various HealthTech solutions to multiple vaccination centers, public health preparedness clinics and polyclinics. IHiS also tech-enabled mobile vaccination teams to visit community care facilities such as nursing homes and residential facilities.[10][6][7]

In 2023, it is reported that IHiS will move out of its current premises to Elementum, located at Biopolis, One-north, Singapore.[11]

On 27 July 2023, IHiS was renamed as Synapxe.[12][13]

Products

National Electronic Health Record

The National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) is a secure system that collects and organizes patient health care records into a single system and is managed by IHiS. This gives authorised healthcare professionals a holistic picture of a patients’ healthcare history. NEHR has become the digital backbone of Singapore’s healthcare system and a critical node for continuity of care.[14]

Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System

The Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS) is the first system in the region to integrate seven different multi-disciplinary technologies and robotics to automate pharmacy processes of sorting, packing and dispensing a variety of drugs including blister packs, boxes and loose tablets into one complete system.[15] The OPAS system has clinched the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Global ICT Excellence Awards, 2021 - Runner-Up of the Innovative eHealth Solutions Award (Public Sector).[16][17]

HealthHub

In 2015, IHiS established the HealthHub, a web portal and mobile application for national health information and services. It allows Singaporeans to view evidence-based health and wellness information, access health records, and perform transactions across public healthcare clusters such as appointments, bill payments and refilling of medication.[18][7][19][20][8][21]

Incidents

2018 data breach
Main article: 2018 SingHealth data breach

Personal particulars of 1.5 million SingHealth patients and records of medicines dispensed to outpatients, affecting a total of 160,000 such patients, were stolen in a cyberattack occurring between 27 June and 4 July 2018. Information relating to the names, National Registration Identity Card numbers, addresses, dates of birth, and race and gender of patients who visited specialist outpatient clinics and polyclinics between 1 May 2015 and 4 July 2018 was maliciously accessed and copied. Information relating to patient diagnosis, test results and doctors' notes were unaffected.[22] Information on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was specifically targeted.[23]

In response, IHiS had strengthened public health systems against data breaches. 19 measures were put in place, including two-factor authentication for all administrators, proactive threat hunting and intelligence, allowing only computers with latest security updates on hospital networks, and a new database activity monitoring.[24][25]

A Committee of Inquiry was convened for the SingHealth breach and subsequently released a report. After the release of the report, IHiS dismissed two employees and demoted one for being negligent in handling and misunderstanding the attack respectively, with financial penalties imposed on two middle management supervisors, and five members of the senior management including CEO Bruce Liang. Three employees were commended by IHiS for handling the incident diligently even when not part of their job scope. IHiS has since fast-tracked a suite of 18 measures for enhancing cybersecurity.[26][27] The Personal Data Protection Commission fined IHiS $750,000 and SingHealth $250,000 for not doing enough to safeguard personal data under the Personal Data Protection Act, making it the largest fine imposed for data breaches.[28]

Subsequently, on 6 March 2019, cybersecurity company Symantec identified a state-sponsored group, known as Whitefly, behind the cyberattack. Although the country is not identified, that group has been found to be behind several related cyberattacks against Singapore-based entities since 2017.[29][30]

Recognitions
  • Singapore Computer Society Tech Leader Awards 2022 (Digital Achievers – Team) for PRPP.[31]
  • Singapore Computer Society Tech Leader Awards 2022 (Digital Achievers – Team) for GPConnect.[32]
  • Singapore Computer Society Enterprise Architecture Awards 2021 - Digital Transformation and Innovation.[33]
  • Singapore 100 Women in Tech List – Sylvia Wong, Director, Digital & Integration Services at IHiS.[34]
  • Singapore 100 Women in Tech List – Susan Lee, Chief Information Officer at Singapore General Hospital.[35]
  • 2021 World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Global ICT Excellence Awards - Runner-Up of the Innovative eHealth Solutions Award (Public Sector).[36]
  • SCS IT Leaders Awards 2021 (Infrastructure) for helping Singapore scale-up COVID-19 testing.[37]
  • SCS IT Leaders Awards 2021 (Entrepreneurship) for iThermo development.[38]
  • SCS IT Leaders Awards 2021 (Infrastructure) for TTSH-NCID COVID-19 HealthTech enablement.[39]

Publications

IHiS and its employees have been involved in the publication of several research papers, including;

  • Wang, Zhiyu; Ong, Chiat Ling Jasmine; Fu, Zhiyan (8 February 2022). "AI Models to Assist Vancomycin Dosage Titration". Frontiers in Pharmacology. Frontiers Media SA. 13. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.801928. ISSN 1663-9812.
  • Zou, Lin; Goh, Han Leong; Liew, Charlene Jin Yee; Quah, Jessica Lishan; Gu, Gary Tianyu; Chew, Jun Jie; Prem Kumar, Mukundaram; Ang, Christine Gia Lee; Ta, Andy (2022). "Ensemble image explainable AI (XAI) algorithm for severe community-acquired pneumonia and COVID-19 respiratory infections". IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). 4 (2): 242–254. doi:10.1109/tai.2022.3153754. ISSN 2691-4581.
  • Ta, Wee An; Lee, Kheng Hock; Wong, Sweet Fun; Chow, Wai Leng; Kumar, Pranav Vinod; Choong, Zi Chao; Ng, Xue Yi; Ang, Gia Lee; Chan, Kien Leong; Lim, Jin Shui; Low, Cheng Ooi; Goh, Han Leong; Tan, Chuen Seng; Sun, Yan; Aung, Khin Chaw Yu; Teoh, Zsin Woon; Tan, Kelvin Bryan; Lau, Zheng Yi; Abisheganaden, John Arputhan (2018). "Development and implementation of nationwide predictive model for admission prevention: System architecture & machine learning". 2018 IEEE EMBS International Conference on Biomedical & Health Informatics (BHI). IEEE. pp. 303–306. doi:10.1109/bhi.2018.8333429. ISBN 978-1-5386-2405-0.
  • Cheng, Chee Leong; Azhar, Rafay; Sng, Shi Hui Adeline; Chua, Yong Quan; Hwang, Jacqueline Siok Gek; Chin, Jennifer Poi Fun; Seah, Waih Khuen; Loke, Janel Chui Ling; Ang, Roy Hang Leng; Tan, Puay Hoon (12 February 2016). "Enabling digital pathology in the diagnostic setting: navigating through the implementation journey in an academic medical centre". Journal of Clinical Pathology. BMJ. 69 (9): 784–792. doi:10.1136/jclinpath-2015-203600. ISSN 0021-9746.
  • Goh, Meh Meh; Tan, Agnes B.H.; Leong, Mike H.W. (2016). "Bar Code–Based Management to Enhance Efficiency of a Sterile Supply Unit in Singapore". AORN Journal. Wiley. 103 (4): 407–413. doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2016.01.018. ISSN 0001-2092.
  • Low, Lian Leng; Lee, Kheng Hock; Hock Ong, Marcus Eng; Wang, Sijia; Tan, Shu Yun; Thumboo, Julian; Liu, Nan (2015). "Predicting 30-Day Readmissions: Performance of the LACE Index Compared with a Regression Model among General Medicine Patients in Singapore". BioMed Research International. Hindawi Limited. 2015: 1–6. doi:10.1155/2015/169870. ISSN 2314-6133.

References
  1. "Privacy Policy". www.synapxe.sg. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. "Synapxe | National HealthTech Agency". www.synapxe.sg. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. "Singapore's national healthtech agency, IHiS, empowers patients to take ownership of their health with Health Discovery+ on Azure". Microsoft Customers Stories. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  4. Hermes (29 April 2020). "Tapping AI to battle Covid-19 | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  5. Auto, Hermes (18 March 2021). "IHiS team quickly added Covid-19 pandemic features in new IT system | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  6. Auto, Hermes (19 April 2021). "Tech helps power Singapore's Covid-19 vaccination drive | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  7. Poon, Yun Xuan (2 August 2021). "5 tech tools behind Singapore's vaccine rollout". GovInsider. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  8. Hermes (6 June 2020). "Mobile kiosks boost efficiency at community care facilities | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  9. "Swift tech updates a boon for vaccination exercise". www.businesstimes.com.sg. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  10. "Digital engagement and transformation of healthcare in Singapore". Healthcare IT News. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  11. "Public-sector healthtech agency IHiS to be anchor tenant at Elementum in one-north: sources". www.businesstimes.com.sg. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  12. Teo, Joyce (27 July 2023). "Hospital care at home, nudges to remind S'pore residents to take care of health to be the norm". The Straits Times. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  13. Teo, Joyce (27 July 2023). "Ong Ye Kung highlights 5 strategic priorities for rebranded national health tech agency Synapxe". The Straits Times. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  14. Lai, Linette (8 November 2017). "All healthcare practices roped into plan to put patients' medical history in electronic database | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  15. Lim, Adrian (30 March 2015). "Health Ministry's automated pharmacy system wins project management award | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  16. Lim, Adrian (30 March 2015). "Health Ministry's automated pharmacy system wins project management award | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  17. "The WITSA Global ICT Excellence Award | World Information Technology & Services Alliances (WITSA)". www.wcit2021.org.bd/. 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  18. Poon, Yun Xuan (28 April 2021). "How Singapore makes vaccination updates easy". GovInsider. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  19. "How IHiS optimised customer experience for HealthHub". FutureCIO. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  20. Auto, Hermes (21 February 2021). "Covid-19 test results, vaccination records now accessible in HealthHub mobile app | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  21. Auto, Hermes (12 October 2021). "Boosting digitalisation will help in building a future-proof healthcare system: Forum | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  22. "Personal info of 1.5m SingHealth patients, including PM Lee, stolen in Singapore's worst cyber attack". 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  23. Kwang, Kevin (20 July 2018). "Singapore health system hit by 'most serious breach of personal data' in cyberattack; PM Lee's data targeted". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018.
  24. Tham, Irene (1 November 2018). "New measures to strengthen public healthcare systems following SingHealth data breach". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  25. Yusof, Amir (1 November 2018). "SingHealth cyberattack: IHiS announces measures to protect healthcare sector against online threats". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  26. Mohan, Matthew; Sim, Fann (14 January 2019). "SingHealth cyberattack: IHiS sacks 2 employees, imposes financial penalty on CEO". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  27. Tham, Irene (14 January 2019). "IHiS sacks 2 employees, slaps financial penalty on CEO over lapses in SingHealth cyber attack". The Straits Times. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  28. Mohan, Matthew (15 January 2019). "PDPC fines IHiS, SingHealth combined S$1 million for data breach following cyberattack". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  29. Baharudin, Hariz (6 March 2019). "SingHealth database hackers have targeted other systems here since at least 2017: Symantec". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  30. Kwang, Kevin (6 March 2019). "Cyber espionage group Whitefly behind SingHealth hack: Symantec". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  31. "DIGITAL ACHIEVER (Team), 2022".
  32. "DIGITAL ACHIEVER (Team), 2022".
  33. "Enterprise Architecture Awards 2021".
  34. "Singapore 100 Women in Tech 2021".
  35. "Singapore 100 Women In Tech".
  36. "WCIT Conference Event | 2021". www.wcit2021.org.bd. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  37. "IT Leader Awards 2021: Infrastructure".
  38. "2021 Awards Winners".
  39. "IHiS conferred SCS IT Leaders Awards 2021 (Infrastructure) for TTSH-NCID COVID-19 HealthTech enablement". www.ihis.com.sg. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
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