[AVBC 2025] SKH CSSU Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS)
Care Process & Redesign
Technology
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
SingHealth
5 December 2025
Efficiency, timeliness and workflow enhancement. ASRS implementation achieved significant manpower saving by reducing the time needed for storing & retrieval of instrument sets while.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 05 December 2025
Tags: Technology, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Digitalisation, Automation, Robotics/Autonomous Systems, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Manhour Saving, Operational Management, Inventory Management
About this Content
Aims
Efficiency, timeliness and workflow enhancement
Background
1. Automate laborious routine task. 2. Maximise storage space in CSSU. 3. Free up CSSU Staffs time to prioritise clinical checks and safety related matters. 4. Allow just-in-time instrument set delivery. First ASRS implementation within a Central Sterile Supply Unit in Singapore.
Methods
Initiated in 2021, it includes a 3-Arm Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), 4 Vertical Carousels (VCR), an automatic robotic loader, and a Warehouse Management System (WMS) interfacing with Total Documentation (T-Doc).
Results
75% Increase in storage capacity from 1,584 slots to 2,790 slots. 80% saving in weekly inventory checks. 50% reduction in operation time per case. 100% reduction in reprocessing with real-time validation.
Conclusion
ASRS implementation achieved significant manpower saving by reducing the time needed for storing & retrieval of instrument sets while maintaining end-to-end sterility integrity. This implementation also increased the storage capacity, eliminating the need for set stacking which ensures compliance to First-In First-Out (FIFO) of instrument sets.
Lessons Learnt
The implementation enhanced SKH CSSU's instrument set picking and storing efficiency, benefiting all 35 staff working in CSSU.
Keywords
ASRS, storage, retrieval, automation, workflow, sterility
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Sengkang General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Ancillary Care, Healthcare Administration |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Moarie Grace Tan |
Project Member(s) | Tang Gui Feng |
Connect with this contributor!
Moarie Grace Tan - tan.moarie@skh.com.sg
Project Attachment
1096_SKGH_AVBC_2025_SKH_CSSU_Automated_Storage_and_Retrieval_System_ASRS_repeated_from_NHIP_2025.pdf