Respiratory Medicine

The Department of Respiratory Medicine at Sengkang General Hospital provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for a wide variety of pulmonary disorders. The pulmonary and critical care physicians offer an extensive range of clinical programmes to improve patient outcomes in respiratory and critical care medicine.

The department is supported by services in all aspects of ambulatory pulmonary patient care, including pulmonary function laboratory and endoscopy suites. The Sleep Clinic which is equipped with both inpatient and ambulatory sleep laboratory services aid in the diagnosis and management of sleep-related problems. By integrating clinical expertise, research and modern technology, the department strives to provide the best medical care and services for their patients.

Our Clinical Services

The clinical services provided by the Department of Respiratory Medicine encompass a variety of respiratory and critical care treatments for both inpatient and outpatient care. They include:

• Diagnosis and management of airway disorders (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis) - including severe asthma requiring biologics
• Evaluation and management of diffuse parenchymal lung disease
• Diagnosis and treatment of lung infections (including tuberculosis)
• Evaluation and management of chronic cough
• Evaluation and management of haemoptysis
• Evaluation and management of pleural disorders (pneumothorax, pleural effusions)
• Evaluation and management of patients requiring chronic Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)
• Evaluation and management of long term oxygen
• Evaluation and management of sleep disorder breathing (obstructive sleep apnoea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome) - for more information, you can refer to SKH Department of Sleep Medicine page here.

Our Department Facilities

• Ambulatory clinics
• Pulmonary Diagnostics @ SKH Clinical Measurement Centre is equipped with modern computerized apparatus which can offer a wide variety of lung function testing for inpatients, outpatients, direct referrals from primary care partners and other hospitals. Available tests include:
  • Spirometry with or without reversibility testing
  • Lung volumes (body plethysmography and nitrogen washout)
  • Diffusion Capacity
  • Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures
  • Maximal voluntary ventilation
  • Fractional Exhaled nitric oxide
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Skin prick test for aeroallergens
  • Oxygen titration at rest / exercise
  • Bronchoprovocation tests:
    • Methacholine challenge test 
    • Exercise induced asthma test 
    • Hypertonic saline challenge test
  • Six-minute walking test
• Endoscopy room
  • Diagnostic services include flexible bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy under fluoroscopy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and medical thoracoscopy.
• Pleural Service
  • Focused thoracic ultrasound
  • Thoracocentesis and pleural drainage
  • Closed pleural biopsy
  • In-dwelling pleural catheter
• Sleep disorder service 
  • Sleep medicine clinics: This clinic will see patients with sleep disordered breathing (including obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), insomnias, parasomnias, narcolepsy and abnormal sleep movements.
  • Inpatient polysomnogram
  • Multiple sleep latency testing
  • Ambulatory sleep study / pulse oximetry / actigraphy
  • CPAP counselling and rental services

Our Clinics

• General Respiratory
• Airway Disorders Clinic (Asthma, COPD and Bronchiectasis)
• Interstitial Lung Disease ClinicPleural Clinic
• Sleep Clinic

Our Care Team

Sengkang General Hospital provides patients experiencing respiratory issues with an experienced and varied team of respiratory doctors and specialists who are passionate about delivering holistic medical care that is tailored to your individual needs. Our respiratory doctors and pulmonary and critical care physicians provide a vast range of treatments and clinical programmes that are aimed at optimising our patient’s health and recovery. If you or your loved one need a diagnosis, treatment or second opinion, please make an appointment with us here. You may wish to get a referral letter from your GP or your physician at the polyclinic.