The radiographers who help save lives in SGH's Emergency Department

When patients arrive at Singapore General Hospital's Emergency Department with serious injuries or sudden illness, every second counts. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of radiographers work around the clock to provide the critical imaging that doctors need to make life-saving decisions.

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A metal rebar had penetrated a construction worker's skull in a horrific accident. As he was rushed into Singapore General Hospital's Emergency Department (ED), every second mattered. For Computed Tomography (CT) radiographer Choo You Ching, this wasn't just another scan—it was a race against time where her expertise could mean the difference between life and death.

"The injury was extremely severe and life-threatening," You Ching recalls. Her critical role began even before the actual scan, as she had to carefully transfer and position the patient to avoid worsening his injury. With the metal foreign body making Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning impossible, CT imaging became the only viable option. "CT was the fastest and most appropriate method," she explains. "The scans clearly showed the extent of the bleeding in the brain, the depth and direction of penetration, and how close it was to vital structures."

This detailed imaging was also essential for determining whether there were any metal fragments and for guiding the surgeons' approach to the operation. "Seeing how the CT images directly influenced urgent clinical decisions made me realise the impact of my role in saving the patient's life," reflects You Ching, who has been a CT radiographer in SGH's ED for four years.

 While many people might think that You Ching’s job simply involves pressing buttons on a scanning machine, the reality is far more complex and demanding. "We don't just operate equipment," she explains. " I check whether the scan the doctor has ordered will help diagnose the patient's condition. If something doesn't look right — like they've asked to scan the wrong body part, chosen the wrong type of scan, or the patient might get unnecessary radiation — I speak to the doctor before doing the scan. Sometimes I might suggest a better way to do the scan that will give clearer images whilst keeping the patient safe. Basically, my job is to make sure every CT scan we do is necessary, done properly, and will actually help diagnose the patient's condition."

This means You Ching must understand medical conditions, evaluate scan requests, and make critical decisions about how to do the scan to get the clearest, most useful images for the doctor to diagnose the patient's condition — all while working under intense time pressure.

The ED environment is high pressure and fast-paced, requiring radiographers to be both swift and precise. "In ED, we deal with many acute conditions, such as trauma and stroke. Communicating and deciding quickly is important," You Ching notes.  

As part of the team providing care in SGH’s ED, these skilled professionals continue their vital work with the ED’s move to the new SGH Emergency /National Neuroscience Institute building. Their expertise remain crucial components in the chain of emergency care that help save lives every day.
 

ABOUT THIS SERIES

“Hidden Heroes” with LighterNotes

In 2026, the hospital’s Emergency Medicine Department (ED) moved to the new SGH Emergency /National Neuroscience Institute (SGH EM/NNI) Building. LighterNotes profiles our hidden heroes who help the ED function smoothly. Strategically located on the SGH Campus, the new building is connected to the main hospital complex to allow patients timely access to multi-disciplinary care. Besides emergency medicine related facilities, the building also houses the Acute Medical Ward, Hospital Decontamination Station, NNI Executive Offices and outpatient clinics and other support services.

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