TTSH uses AI to cut surgery time and restore patient independence

Human-centred AI drives care improvements in the hospital.

Singapore’s Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) uses artificial intelligence (AI) in surgical planning and patient care to improve outcomes and restore patient independence, guided by its philosophy of “Excellence Meets Compassion.”

The hospital's ceo, Tang Kong Choong, said during the Healthcare Asia Summit 2026 in Singapore on 25 March that the principle ensures every technological advancement serves a human purpose, combining clinical excellence with empathy.

“Technology must serve humanity, not the other way around,” he said, adding that it should improve medical care by making it “personalised, accessible, and compassionate.”

Since 2021, the hospital has performed over 250 AI-assisted spinal operations, achieving a 50% reduction in hospitalisation time, a 20% reduction in surgical duration, and zero deaths or paralysis. No revision surgeries were required.

He cited a procedure involving a 74-year-old woman, an avid jogger with progressive spinal degeneration. She underwent surgery and regained mobility, walking several kilometres daily and travelling internationally.

“We visualised her spine in three dimensions, predicted the surgical outcomes, and customised every aspect of the … surgery,” said Tang. “The AI provided precision for her, but to her, it was not just reclaiming her life, but also her independence and her joy in movement.”

The hospital developed its AI-powered surgical planning system in collaboration with Medtronic, enabling surgeons to customise procedures, including the precise placement of screws in scoliosis surgery.

TTSH also uses PreSAGE, an AI-enabled falls prediction system, to support its workforce by monitoring patients using infrared cameras and video analytics.

This allows nurses to respond faster and reduces the risk of falls, with the system currently covering 311 beds and set to expand to over 1,180 beds by the end of the year.

Tang cited the case of Lilian Teng, 69, a senior enrolled nurse at TTSH, who previously had to “strain her back to manually put in place the falls alarm systems.”

“...but now the technology does the heavy lifting, and that allows her and our nurses up to 15 seconds to respond and significantly reduce the risk of falls,” he said, adding that her work is less “physically demanding and more predictive.”

The hospital’s workforce strategy integrates technology with age-inclusive policies, with staff aged 55 and above making up roughly 10% of the 10,000-strong workforce.

TTSH raised its retirement age to 64 and re-employment age to 69 ahead of national legislation, and 98% of eligible senior staff accepted re-employment beyond the statutory age, according to the hospital CEO.

Other AI applications include nurse scheduling, which reduces roster creation from 90 minutes to 15, and Robotic Process Automation for administrative tasks, whilst staff also use AI tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot and GovTech chatbots.

The hospital said technology serves practical, human purposes. Its CarePal platform supports caregivers with resource guides, cost calculators, and connections to community services, and has supported more than 1,400 caregivers since its launch in September last year.

Its approach also extends to preventive care, with the Muscle Health for Staying Active and Robust Clinic screening seniors for sarcopenia, providing personalised interventions, and linking patients to community resources.

It has screened and diagnosed 70 seniors aged 65 and above since July 2025, he added.

TTSH is also planning a new Medical Tower under its HealthCity Novena Phase 2 Master Plan, slated to open in 2031, which will house 600 acute beds, expand the emergency department, and incorporate frailty-ready design.