In the spotlight is an initiative by PSS that features pharmacists who excel in their area of practice and have been role models for fellow pharmacists. In this issue, we feature:
Ms Hooi Pik Yee
Education credentials: BSc (Pharm) (Hons); Master of Clinical Pharmacy
Designation: Principal Pharmacist, Inpatient section in-charge, National University Hospital
Area of Interest: Clinical quality improvement
Years of Experience: 13 years
Education credentials: BSc (Pharm) (Hons); Master of Clinical Pharmacy
Designation: Principal Pharmacist, Inpatient section in-charge, National University Hospital
Area of Interest: Clinical quality improvement
Years of Experience: 13 years
Synopsis
Ms. Hooi graduated with Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy, Honours) from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland. She received her pre-registration training in both Malaysia and Scotland, and has worked in both countries as a hospital pharmacist before moving on to National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore in 2003. Her first 3 years at NUH retail pharmacy saw her various efforts to improve patients’ waiting-time as she supervised the retail operations, of which the two queue system project earned her a merit award in an internal continuous improvement competition known as NUH Way. She also successfully trained pharmacy technicians to be competent in dispensing, thereby decreasing waiting-time during peak hours.
With her versatility, Ms. Hooi then joined and led the NUH inpatient pharmacy team as a section in-charge, implementing the first paperless system in Singapore that allowed discharge waiting-time to be greatly reduced from two hours to an hour. This won her a merit award at the Ministry of Health (MOH) National Clinical Quality Improvement Conference. Ms Hooi’s active involvement in quality improvement programmes brought about several impactful changes – reduced discharge waiting-time through medication reconciliation, incorporation of a refined START and STOPP criteria to the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) that prompt pharmacists to intervene and reduce potential adverse drug events.
In addition, Ms. Hooi oversaw the centralization of inpatient pharmacy service, implementation of automation and the expansion / development of numerous services such as ambulatory care pharmacy services and the 24/7 inpatient pharmacy service to support first dose review.
Despite her busy schedule, Ms. Hooi strives to broaden her knowledge and has attained a Master of Clinical Pharmacy with the University of South Australia in 2012.
What do others say about Ms. Hooi?
“Pik Yee is an excellent role model for all, inspiring, mentoring and pushing pharmacists to excel and paving the way for pharmacy assistants and technicians to scale greater heights. She holds a positive attitude and outmost enthusiasm in improving work processes benefiting not just pharmacy staff, but all healthcare workers.”
“As a fellow colleague, Pik Yee shows much dedication to her work. Despite her many challenges and responsibilities she has to deal with daily, she continues to persevere and manage all these effectively. She also exemplifies "Work Life Balance", never forgetting to spend time with her loved ones despite her busy schedule.”
“Pik Yee cares about the career progression of her staff and never fails to share opportunities for them to hone their clinical skills. Her humble attitude is evident in her receptiveness to feedback from the staff and takes the effort to implement changes that would benefit the pharmacy team. Her cheerful and positive spirit in managing the multitude of problems and issues at work affirms her as a role model in leading and guiding us in our course of work.”
An interview with Ms. Hooi Pik Yee:
1. Describe your job scope.
In-charge of inpatient pharmacy – oversee operation and clinical pharmacy service.
2. Describe your memorable contributions to the pharmacy profession.
- Paperless discharge to reduce discharge waiting time
- Medication reconciliation (within 48 hours of admission) from 0.3% to the current 76%
- First dose review – achieving 86% to-date
- Implementation of 24/7 inpatient pharmacy service
- Centralization of inpatient pharmacy
- Redesign of job description (JD) for pharmacy technicians to support technical roles to allow pharmacists to move away from operation duties such as topping up and supply of drugs
- Successfully obtained reaccreditation of JCI without findings
3. Awards and accolades that you would like to mention
- FIP 2013 Best Poster award on Medication reconciliation process by incorporating START & STOPP criteria
- MOH Quality Improvement Merit award for the paperless workflow
- MOH Quality Improvement 2012 Recognition award for Redesign of medication reconciliation workflow
4. What would your advice be for the younger pharmacists? Especially when faced with challenges?
Have strong determination - don’t give up! There is always a solution for every challenge faced; don’t be afraid to try new challenges and innovation to improve patient care and safety
5. What helped/motivated you to be where you are today?
I have to say, I really love what I do every day and this keeps me going. I have a very supportive team and a boss to help me through all the challenges faced. I have a very supportive family that always stand by me.
6. What is the most memorable moment in your pharmacy career?
- Implementation of automation as it really changed the role of pharmacist
- JCI accreditation: the teamwork and the bond that we had especially with nursing and my IP team is really hard to describe
7. Describe your career progression path.
Developed clinical services and progressed to professional track as I love clinical quality improvement.
8. My future plan...
- To develop a model ward…
- To develop a model clinical pharmacy service…
so that we can continue to improve patient care
