Purpose: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and management. To optimize patient care, clinicians need a reliable, non-invasive method to assess hemodynamic parameters and total body congestion. Currently, no standardized technology is widely used for this purpose.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: There is scarce data about the epidemiology, clinical features, investigations, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome in patients attending Singapore emergency departments (EDs) with nontraumatic headache. We sought to describe these characteristics of adult patients presenting to the ED with a primary complaint of headache. : We performed a cross-sectional study on adult patients with nontraumatic headache over 4 consecutive weeks from 18 March 2019 to 14 April 2019 across four EDs in Singapore.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Evidence regarding the efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation for preoxygenation and apnoeic oxygenation is conflicting. Our objective is to evaluate whether HFNC oxygenation for preoxygenation and apnoeic oxygenation maintains higher oxygen saturation (SpO) during rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in ED patients compared to usual care.
Methods: This was a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial in adult ED patients requiring RSI.
Introduction: Flexible bronchoscopic intubation (FBI) is an important technique in managing an anticipated difficult airway, yet it is rarely performed and has a steep learning curve. We aim to evaluate if the integration of virtual reality gaming application into routine FBI training for emergency department doctors would be more effective than traditional teaching methods.
Methods: We conducted a randomised controlled trial to compare self-directed learning using the mobile application, Airway Ex* in the intervention group versus the control group without use of the mobile application.
Ann Acad Med Singap
December 2020
Introduction: Pericardiocentesis is a potentially life-saving procedure. We compared two low-cost models-an agar-based model and a novel model, Centesys-in terms of ultrasound image quality and realism, effectiveness of the model, and learners' confidence and satisfaction after training.
Methods: In this pilot randomised 2x2 crossover trial stratified by physician seniority, participants were assigned to undergo pericardiocentesis training either with the agar-based or Centesys model first, followed by the other model.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: On January 30, COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern-a week after Singapore's first imported case and 5 days before local transmission. The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore's third largest hospital with 1200 beds, heavy clinical workloads, and major roles in research and teaching.
Main Body: With memories of SARS still vivid, there was an urgent requirement for the NUH Division of Infectious Diseases to adapt-undergoing major reorganization to face rapidly changing priorities while ensuring usual essential services and standards.
Background: Maintaining adequate oxygenation during rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is imperative to prevent peri-intubation adverse events that can lead to increased duration of hospital and intensive care unit stay, or a prolonged vegetative state requiring long-term institutionalisation. Despite employing current best practices during RSI, desaturation during intubation still occurs. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation may potentially improve oxygenation during pre- and apnoeic oxygenation to allow a longer safe apnoeic time for RSI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Arterial punctures are important procedures performed by emergency physicians in the assessment of ill patients. However, arterial punctures are painful and can create anxiety and needle phobia in patients. The pain score of radial arterial punctures were compared between the insulin needle and the standard 23-gauge hypodermic needle.
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