Evaluating the association of COVID-19 restrictions on discharge planning and post-discharge outcomes in the community hospital and Singapore regional health system.

Objectives: The COVID-19 is a global health issue with widespread impact around the world, and many countries initiated lockdowns as part of their preventive measures. We aim to quantify the duration of delay in discharge to community from Community Hospitals, as well as quantify adverse patient outcomes post discharge pre and during lockdown period.

Design And Methods: We conducted a before-after study comparing the length of stay in Community Hospitals, unscheduled readmissions or Emergency Department attendance, patients' quality of life using EQ5D-5l, number and severity of falls, in patients admitted and discharged before and during lockdown period.

Association of Social Support with Rehabilitation Outcome among Older Adults with Hip Fracture Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study at Post-Acute Care Facility in Asia.

Objectives: There is growing interest in the role of social support during the recovery after hip fractures. The research to date has been mainly focused on structural support, with few studies concerned with functional support. This study examined the effects of both functional and structural aspects of social support on rehabilitation outcomes among older adults with hip fracture surgery.

Impact of COVID-19 Measures on Discharge Planning and Continuity of Integrated Care in the Community for Older Patients in Singapore.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic affects the process of care transition for patients with underlying chronic conditions. This study aims to explore the impact of the pandemic measures on discharge planning and continuum of care for vulnerable older patients from multi-stakeholder perspectives.

Methods: We conducted focus group discussions and individual interviews with healthcare workers, community partners, government officials and family caregivers in Singapore.

Implementing a community-based shared care breast cancer survivorship model in Singapore: a qualitative study among primary care practitioners.

Background: The adaptability of existing recommendations on shared care implementation to Asian settings is unknown. This qualitative study aims to elicit public- and private-sectors primary care practitioners' (PCPs) perspectives on the sustainable implementation of a shared care model among breast cancer survivors in Singapore.

Methods: Purposive sampling was employed to engage 70 PCPs from SingHealth Polyclinics, National University Polyclinics, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, and private practice.

Impact of malnutrition in surgically repaired hip fracture patients admitted for rehabilitation in a community hospital: A cohort prospective study.

Background: Malnutrition is common and associated with adverse outcomes in geriatric patients with hip fractures. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between the nutritional status and rehabilitation efficiency and functional outcome on discharge in postoperative hip fracture patients.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 172 postoperative hip fracture patients who were admitted to the community hospital from November 2019 to November 2020.

Roles and recommendations from primary care physicians towards managing low-risk breast cancer survivors in a shared-care model with specialists in Singapore-a qualitative study.

Background: Breast cancer is prevalent and has high cure rates. The resultant increase in numbers of breast cancer survivors (BCS) may overwhelm the current oncology workforce in years to come. We postulate that primary care physicians (PCPs) could play an expanded role in comanaging survivors, provided they are given the appropriate tools and training to do so.

Predictors of poor functional outcomes and mortality in patients with hip fracture: a systematic review.

Background: Hip fracture is an important and prevalent medical condition associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of this article is to systematically review and summarise the predictors of poor functional outcomes and mortality for patients with hip fractures.

Methods: We conducted a systemic literature search using PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library.

Reducing Follow-Up Appointments in a Mental Health Institute in Singapore: Family Medicine-Psychiatry Collaboration.

Background: The Institute of Mental Health (IMH), the leading tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore, has managed patients' psychiatric issues for decades. However, these patients' existing medical conditions often require care in subspeciality outpatient clinics of restructured hospitals. Given the need to reduce follow-up appointments in subspeciality outpatient clinics for conditions that can be managed by family physicians, a novel family medicine-psychiatry collaborative initiative between Sengkang General Hospital and IMH was implemented to address this issue.

A case report of an atypical presentation of pyogenic iliopsoas abscess.

Background: Iliopsoas abscess is a collection of pus in the iliopsoas muscle compartment. It can be primary or secondary in origin. Primary iliopsoas abscess occurs as a result of hematogenous or lymphatic seeding from a distant site.

Varicella infections in patients with end stage renal disease: a systematic review.

Background: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is on the rise globally. Varicella infection among adult patients with ESRD has been reported to lead to multiple complications and even death. While varicella vaccination has been recommended in paediatric renal patients; recommendation on varicella vaccination among adult patients with ESRD remained sparse.

Incidence and mortality rates of varicella among end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in Singapore General Hospital, a 12-year review.

Background: End stage renal disease (ESRD)/ end stage renal failure (ESRF) is on the rise globally and especially in Singapore. Varicella or chickenpox is not uncommon among adults especially ESRD/ESRF patients. It has been reported to cause complications and even death among immunocompetent adults.

A case series of atypical presentation of Zika Virus infection in Singapore.

Background: The World Health Organization's and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's definition of Zika infection are symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain, myalgia, headache and conjunctivitis. The diagnosis of Zika infection is based on the clinical history, physical examination and laboratory investigations which includes blood and urine Zika virus Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Case Presentation: Two patients presented with atypical presentation of Zika infection to Sengkang Health, Alexandra Hospital during the recent Zika outbreak in Singapore in August 2016.

Childhood Injuries in Singapore: Can Local Physicians and the Healthcare System Do More to Confront This Public Health Concern?

Childhood injury is one of the leading causes of death globally. Singapore is no exception to this tragic fact, with childhood injuries accounting up to 37% of Emergency Department visits. Hence, it is important to understand the epidemiology and risk factors of childhood injuries locally.