Allergy and Immunology ; history ; Belgium ; Biomedical Research ; history ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Immunity ; immunology

Patients with long QT syndrome can sometimes present with a ventricular fibrillation (VF) storm. Catheter ablation of culprit premature ventricular complexes responsible for the triggering of the VF episodes may be required in rare cases of electrical storm that do not respond to conventional measures, and this can be life-saving. We describe a case of emergency catheter ablation in a young woman with a normal corrected QT interval, who presented with malignant VF storm for the first time. We also discuss the diagnostic and management challenges involved, as well as the value of genetic testing in refining the diagnosis.
Cardiology ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Electrocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Heart Arrest ; genetics ; therapy ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome ; genetics ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; therapy ; Ventricular Premature Complexes ; genetics ; therapy ; Young Adult

Bacteriology ; history ; France ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Male ; Philately ; Typhus, Epidemic Louse-Borne ; history ; therapy

INTRODUCTIONElectronic prescribing has been proposed as an important strategy to reduce medication errors, improve the quality of patient care and create savings in health care costs. Despite these potential advantages, user satisfaction plays a significant role in the success of its implementation. Hence, this study aims to examine users' satisfaction and factors associated with satisfaction regarding an electronic prescription system implemented in the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAn anonymous survey was administered in October 2007 to all physicians, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in the 9 National Healthcare Group Polyclinics.

RESULTSRespondents included 118 doctors and 61 pharmacy staff. The overall level of satisfaction with electronic prescribing was high. Doctors and pharmacists reported a high degree of agreement that electronic prescribing reduces prescribing errors and interventions, and they did not want to go back to the paper-based system. Users were generally satisfied with the functionality of the system but there was some degree of workflow interference particularly for the pharmacy staff. Only 56.9% of the pharmacy respondents expressed satisfaction with the review function of the electronic prescription system and only 51.8% and 60% were satisfied when processing prescriptions that included items to be purchased from an external pharmacy or prescriptions with amendments. The results also revealed that satisfaction with the system was more associated with users' perceptions about the electronic prescription system's impact on productivity than quality of care.

CONCLUSIONThe survey results indicate that the implementation of the electronic prescription system has gone reasonably well. The survey findings provide opportunities for system and workflow enhancement, which is important as these issues could affect the acceptability of a new technology and the speed of diffusion within an organisation.

Consumer Behavior ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diffusion of Innovation ; Electronic Prescribing ; Health Care Surveys ; Humans ; Medical Order Entry Systems ; Pharmaceutical Services ; Pharmacists ; psychology ; Physicians ; psychology ; Singapore

INTRODUCTION: Patients referred for chest pain from primary care have increased, along with demand for outpatient cardiology consultations. We evaluated 'Triage Protocol' that implements standardised diagnostic testing prior to patients' first cardiology consultation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under the 'Triage Protocol', patients referred for chest pain were pretriaged using a standardised algorithm and subsequently referred for relevant functional diagnostic cardiology tests before their initial cardiology consultation. At the initial cardiology consultation scheduled by the primary care provider, test results were reviewed. A total of 522 triage patients (mean age 55 ± 13, male 53%) were frequency-matched by age, gender and risk cohort to 289 control patients (mean age: 56 ± 11, male: 52%). Pretest risk of coronary artery disease was defined according to a Modified Duke Clinical Score (MDCS) as low (<10), intermediate (10-20) and high (>20). The primary outcome was time from referral to diagnosis (days). Secondary outcomes were total visits, discharge rate at first consultation, patient cost and adverse cardiac outcomes. RESULTS: The 'Triage Protocol' resulted in shorter times from referral to diagnosis (46 vs 131 days; <0.0001) and fewer total visits (2.4 vs 3.0; <0.0001). However, triage patients in low-risk groups experienced higher costs due to increased testing (S$421 vs S$357, = 0.003). Adverse cardiac event rates under the 'Triage Protocol' indicated no compromise to patient safety (triage vs control: 0.57% vs 0.35%; = 1.000). CONCLUSION By implementing diagnostic cardiac testing prior to patients' first specialist consultation, the 'Triage Protocol' expedited diagnosis and reduced subsequent visits across all risk groups in ambulatory chest pain patients.
Algorithms ; Cardiology Service, Hospital ; Chest Pain ; therapy ; Clinical Protocols ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Primary Health Care ; Treatment Outcome ; Triage ; methods

BACKGROUND: Groin dissections result in large wounds with exposed femoral vessels requiring soft tissue coverage, and the reconstructive options are diverse. In this study we reviewed our experience with the use of the pedicled anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps in the reconstruction of large groin wounds. METHODS: Groin reconstructions performed over a period of 10 years were evaluated, with a mean follow up of two years. We included all cases with large or complex (involving perineum) defects, which were reconstructed with the pedicled anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous or the vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flaps. Smaller wounds which were covered with skin grafts, locally based flaps and pedicled muscle flaps were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty-three reconstructions were performed for large or complex groin defects, utilising the anterolateral thigh (n=10) and the vertical rectus abdominis (n=13) pedicled musculocutaneous flaps. Femoral vein reconstruction with a prosthetic graft was required in one patient, and a combination flap (VRAM and gracilis muscle flap) was performed in another. Satisfactory coverage was achieved in all cases without major complications. No free flaps were used in our series. CONCLUSIONS: The anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis pedicled musculocutaneous flaps yielded consistent results with little morbidity in the reconstruction of large and complex groin defects. A combination of flaps can be used in cases requiring extensive cover.
Femoral Vein ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Groin* ; Humans ; Myocutaneous Flap* ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Skin ; Surgical Flaps ; Thigh* ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

INTRODUCTIONNorovirus gastrointestinal disease (GID) outbreaks occur frequently in closed settings, with high attack rates. On October 16, 2008, a norovirus GID outbreak occurred at a Singapore military camp. This study describes the epidemiological investigations conducted to determine the cause of outbreak and the efficacy of the public health measures implemented.

METHODSEpidemiologic investigations included a case-control study of exposure to different food items and an environmental exposure survey. Stool samplings of patients and food handlers for common pathogens, and microbiologic testing of food and water samples were performed. Inspection of dining facilities and health screening of all food-handlers were also conducted.

RESULTSA total of 156 GID cases were reported on October 15-31, 2008. 24 (15.4%) personnel were positive for norovirus. The predominant symptoms were diarrhoea (76.3%) and abdominal pain (69.2%). There was no clinical correlation between any food item and the affected personnel. Testing of food and water samples, dining facility inspections and health screening of food handlers showed satisfactory results. The environmental exposure survey indicated possible transmission due to environmental contamination by vomitus in common areas. Comprehensive environmental decontamination was performed with hypochlorite solution, and personal hygiene measures were enforced. The outbreak lasted 17 days, with a decline in cases post intervention.

CONCLUSIONTimely notification and prompt response can curtail disease transmission. Swift implementation of public health measures, such as emphasis on personal hygiene, isolation of affected cases and comprehensive disinfection of the environment, effectively stopped norovirus transmission and may be adapted for future GID outbreaks.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Caliciviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; Diarrhea ; virology ; Disease Outbreaks ; statistics & numerical data ; Feces ; virology ; Food Handling ; Gastroenteritis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Military Facilities ; Norovirus ; isolation & purification ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Water Microbiology ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONNasopharnygeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterised by early metastases with the skeleton being the most common site of metastases. The ability to prognosticate survival is crucial in the decision whether or not to offer surgery to these patients and the choice of surgery offered. We aimed to evaluate the scoring systems namely: Bauer, Katagiri and Scandinavian Sarcoma Group (SSG) in NPC patients with skeletal metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 92 patients with skeletal metastases from NPC were studied. We retrospectively analysed the actual survival of these patients and compared with predicted survival according to the 3 scoring systems. The predicted survival according to each system was calculated and labelled as A scores. These were then re-scored by assigning NPC as a better prognostic tumour and labelled as B scores. The predicted survival of scores A and B were compared to actual survival. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. The predictive values of each scoring were calculated.

RESULTSThe median overall survival for the whole cohort was 13 months (range: 1 to 120 months). In multivariate analysis, general condition and visceral metastases showed significant effect on survival. There were statistically significant differences (P <0.001) between the subgroups of the SSG B as well as Katagiri B scoring systems where NPC was classified as a better prognostic tumour. SSG B provided the highest predictive value (0.67) as compared to the other 2 scoring systems.

CONCLUSIONThe SSG and Katagiri score could be used to prognosticate NPC with a statistically significant association with actual survival.

Bone Neoplasms ; mortality ; secondary ; Carcinoma ; mortality ; secondary ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic literature review of the epidemiological and economic burden of surgical site infection (SSI) in Korea. METHODS: A search of the EMBASE, Medline and KoreaMed databases for English and Korean language publications was conducted. Searches for epidemiological and economic studies were conducted separately and limited to 1995 to 2010 to ensure the pertinence of the data. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included. The overall incidence of SSI in Korea was 2.0 to 9.7%. The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index was positively correlated with the risk of developing an SSI. Specific risk factors for SSI, identified through multivariate analyses included; diabetes, antibiotic prophylaxis and wound classification. SSIs were associated with increased hospitalisation cost, with each episode of SSI estimated to cost about an additional 2,000,000. A substantial portion of the increased cost was attributed to hospital room costs and the need for additional medication. Studies also found that post-operative stays for patients with SSIs were 5 to 20 days longer, while two studies reported that following cardiac surgery, patients with SSIs spent an additional 5 to 11 days in the intensive care unit, compared to patients without SSIs. CONCLUSION: Data from the included studies demonstrate that SSI represents a significant clinical and economic burden in Korea. Consequently, the identification of high-risk patient populations and the development of strategies aimed at reducing SSI may lead to cost-savings for the healthcare system.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Cross Infection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dietary Sucrose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Thoracic Surgery

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic literature review of the epidemiological and economic burden of surgical site infection (SSI) in Korea. METHODS: A search of the EMBASE, Medline and KoreaMed databases for English and Korean language publications was conducted. Searches for epidemiological and economic studies were conducted separately and limited to 1995 to 2010 to ensure the pertinence of the data. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included. The overall incidence of SSI in Korea was 2.0 to 9.7%. The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index was positively correlated with the risk of developing an SSI. Specific risk factors for SSI, identified through multivariate analyses included; diabetes, antibiotic prophylaxis and wound classification. SSIs were associated with increased hospitalisation cost, with each episode of SSI estimated to cost about an additional 2,000,000. A substantial portion of the increased cost was attributed to hospital room costs and the need for additional medication. Studies also found that post-operative stays for patients with SSIs were 5 to 20 days longer, while two studies reported that following cardiac surgery, patients with SSIs spent an additional 5 to 11 days in the intensive care unit, compared to patients without SSIs. CONCLUSION: Data from the included studies demonstrate that SSI represents a significant clinical and economic burden in Korea. Consequently, the identification of high-risk patient populations and the development of strategies aimed at reducing SSI may lead to cost-savings for the healthcare system.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Cross Infection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dietary Sucrose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Thoracic Surgery