Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

Introduction: Modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners utilise superconducting magnets that are permanently active. Patients and healthcare professionals have been known to unintentionally introduce ferromagnetic objects into the scanning room. In this study, we evaluated the projectile risk of Singapore coinage as well as some common healthcare equipment within a 3 T MRI scanner.

Beyond the self: a novel framework to enhance non-technical team skills for anesthesiologists.

Human factors and non-technical skills (NTS) have been identified as essential contributors to both the propagation and prevention of medical errors in the operating room. Despite extensive study and interventions to nurture and enhance NTS in anesthesiologists, gaps to effective team practice and patient safety remain. Furthermore, the link between added NTS training and clinically significant improved outcomes has not yet been demonstrated.

SIR Flat CAP (Safety In Radiology - Flat-Packed Compact Airborne Precaution): A Low-Cost, Portable, Negative-Pressure Isolation Barrier Shield for Protecting Frontline Healthcare Workers.

Introduction Multiple barrier shields have been described since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of these are bulky and designed for use in the main anesthetic or radiology departments. We developed a portable, negative-pressure barrier shield designed specifically for portable ultrasound examinations.

Leveraging AI in Postgraduate Medical Education for Rapid Skill Acquisition in Ultrasound-Guided Procedural Techniques.

Ultrasound-guided techniques are increasingly prevalent and represent a gold standard of care. Skills such as needle visualisation, optimising the target image and directing the needle require deliberate practice. However, training opportunities remain limited by patient case load and safety considerations.

Post-treatment 18F-fludeoxyglocuse-positron emission tomography in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: Human papillomavirus association has changed the landscape of treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma; it remains to be seen whether current post-treatment surveillance schedules are effective.

Objective: Evaluate whether post-treatment surveillance of oropharyngeal cancer through FDG-PET imaging is modified by human papillomavirus association.

Methods: A prospective cohort analysis of retrospective data was conducted for patients undergoing treatment of oropharyngeal cancer between 2016 and 2018.

Real-world evaluation of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective multi-ethnic cohort study.

Purpose: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors are increasingly used as second-line therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the real-world effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in a multi-ethnic population in Singapore.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined patients diagnosed with and treated for diabetes from the Ministry of Health's administrative database.

The role of procalcitonin in predicting risk of mechanical ventilation and mortality among moderate to severe COVID-19 patients.

Background: Serum procalcitonin (PCT) has become an emerging prognostic biomarker of disease progression in patients with COVID-19. This study aims to determine the optimal cut-off value of PCT with regards to important clinical outcomes, especially for mechanical ventilation and all-cause mortality among moderate to severe COVID-19 patients in Malaysia.

Methods: A total of 319 moderate to severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the National Referral Hospital in December 2020 were included in the study retrospectively.

Case report: A novel application of the MicroVascular Plug (MVP) in treating distal coronary perforation.

Coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a rare but severe complication which has been associated with a high rate of major adverse outcomes and is potentially fatal. We report a case of a 70-year-old male who presented with an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram revealed a proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion.

The effectiveness of the Safety in Interventional Radiology (SIR) Shield in reducing droplet transmission and its effect on image quality and radiation dose.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a barrier shield in reducing droplet transmission and its effect on image quality and radiation dose in an interventional suite.

Methods: A human cough droplet visualisation model in a supine position was developed to assess efficacy of barrier shield in reducing environmental contamination. Its effect on image quality (resolution and contrast) was evaluated via image quality test phantom.

Augmented trabeculectomy-outcomes of first hundred versus second hundred surgeries of a fellowship-trained glaucoma surgeon.

Purpose: We aim to compare the outcomes of trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C by a fellowship-trained glaucoma surgeon in the first hundred compared to second hundred surgeries.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective review of 200 consecutive surgeries from May 2015 to January 2017. Primary outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP) control and use of IOP-lowering medications.

Giant hiatus hernia presenting as a chronic cough masking a sinister diagnosis.

We present a case of an 82-year-old gentleman with an 18-month history of productive cough. Urgent CT scan of the thorax revealed type 1 hiatus hernia (HH). The patient was managed conservatively with lifestyle modifications to help his reflux symptomology.

Use of GoPro point-of-view camera in intubation simulation-A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Teaching endotracheal intubation is uniquely challenging due to its technical, high-stakes, and highly time-sensitive nature. The GoPro is a small, lightweight, high-resolution action camera with a wide-angle field of view that can encompass both the airway as well as the procedurist's hands and positioning technique when worn with a head mount. We aimed to evaluate its effectiveness in improving intubation teaching for novice learners in a simulated setting, via a two-arm, parallel group, randomized controlled superiority trial with 1:1 allocation ratio.

Identification of culturable petroleum-degrading bacteria and fungi from petroleum-contaminated sites in Brunei Darussalam.

Microbes that can be cultured and degrade petroleum are of particular interest for biotechnology such as bioremediation. This study aims to isolate and identify culturable petroleum-degrading bacteria and fungi from Brunei Darussalam, which has not previously been explored. A total of eight bacterial and nine fungal isolates that could degrade petroleum were obtained from petroleum-contaminated water or soil samples.

Considerations for Continuing Simulation Training During Infectious Outbreaks.

Healthcare simulation training can be significantly disrupted by infectious disease outbreaks, yet it is a key component in several important medical education activities, such as resuscitation refresher training and high-stakes prelicensure healthcare examinations. This article details the strategic and tactical considerations for continuing simulation training during infectious disease outbreaks. A framework of graded responses, titrated to outbreak severity, is provided from the perspective of an academic medical center managing simulation training during the early stage of the now global coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.

Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) restores the N95 face mask induced cerebral hemodynamic alterations among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Outbreak.

Background And Aim: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented increased usage of Personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare-workers. PPE usage causes headache in majority of users. We evaluated changes in cerebral hemodynamics among healthcare-workers using PPE.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hyperacute stroke treatment: experience from a comprehensive stroke centre in Singapore.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving and affecting healthcare systems across the world. Singapore has escalated its alert level to Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) Orange, signifying severe disease with community spread. We aimed to study the overall volume of AIS cases and the delivery of hyperacute stroke services during DORSCON Orange.

12-Month clinical outcomes of amphilimus drug eluting stents in an all-comers South-East Asian registry.

Background: Amphilimus-eluting stent (AES) is a novel polymer-free drug eluting stent that combines sirolimus with fatty acid as antiproliferative drug and has shown promising results in percutaneous coronary intervention.We evaluated the clinical safety and efficacy of AES in an all-comers South-East Asian registry.

Methods: Between May 2014 to April 2017, 268 patients (88% male, mean age 60.