Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Oct 2020
ReviewCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): The Singapore Experience. A Review of the First Eight Months.
As of 27 October 2020, there have been 57,980 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Singapore, with 28 fatalities. To summarise the Singapore experience in managing and containing COVID-19 based on available published data and from relevant sources, a review of literature using research databases such as PubMed and OVID Medline, along with non-peer-reviewed articles and other sources, was conducted with the search terms 'COVID-19' and 'Singapore'. ⋯ Evidence of effectiveness of containment measures such as early border control, rigorous contact training, and calibrated social distancing measures have also been demonstrated. Singapore's multipronged strategy has been largely successful at containing COVID-19 and minimising fatalities, but the risk of re-emergence is high.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Oct 2020
Impact of Telemedicine on Hospitalisation and Mortality Rates in Community-Based Haemodialysis Centres in Singapore during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
With the unprecedented challenges imposed on the modern healthcare system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative solutions needed to be swiftly implemented to maintain clinical oversight on patient care. Telemedicine was introduced in Singapore in community-based haemodialysis (HD) centres to comply with the Ministry of Health's directives on movement restriction of healthcare workers and related measures to minimise the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare facilities. ⋯ Patients received appropriate care in a timely manner, with telemedicine implementation, and such measures did not lead to suboptimal healthcare outcomes. Telemedicine was a successful tool for physician oversight under movement control measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and may continue to prove useful in the 'new normal' era of healthcare delivery for HD patients in community-based dialysis centres, operated by the National Kidney Foundation in Singapore.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Oct 2020
Medical Costs Associated with Severity of Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Singapore.
This was a retrospective cross-sectional study to assess the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its severity in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on direct medical costs, and the effects of economic burden on CKD related complications in T2DM in Singapore. ⋯ The presence and increased severity of CKD is significantly associated with higher direct medical costs in T2DM patients. Actively preventing the occurrence and progression in DM-induced CKD may significantly reduce healthcare resource consumption and healthcare costs.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Oct 2020
Adoption of Robotic Liver, Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery in Singapore: A Single Institution Experience with Its First 100 Consecutive Cases.
Presently, robotic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery (RHPBS) is increasingly adopted worldwide. This study reports our experience with the first 100 consecutive cases of RHPBS in Singapore. ⋯ Our experience with the first 100 consecutive cases of RHPBS confirms its feasibility and safety when performed by experienced laparoscopic hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons. It can be performed for even highly complicated major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery with a low open conversion rate.
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Advances in cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgical oncology, genomic medicine, targeted small molecule treatment, cancer immunotherapy and biology-driven precision radiation oncology have resulted in significant improvements in outcomes of cancer treatment, with an increasing number of patients achieving long-term disease control or even being potentially cured. Concurrent advances in palliative care and geriatric oncology have also helped to ensure that patients are managed holistically by considering their physical, social, psychological and emotional needs in a personalised manner.