1.The Effectiveness Of A Navigation System For Ambulance Service In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ahmad Khaldun Ismail ; Yap Yah Yun ; Gita Mahardhika ; Ainun Abdul Ghani ; Nurul Saadah Ahmad ; Abdul Karim Mustafa ; Shamsuriani Md Jamal ; Rosdiadee Nordin ; Nasharuddin Zainal
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2018;18(Special Volume (1)):166-173
The response and transport intervals of an ambulance dispatch are affected by various factors. The present ambulance
system relies on the driver’s experience, knowledge of local road map and estimations of directions. These may
contribute to delays, misdirection and inefficient utilization of resources. The objectives of this study were to assess the
effects of GPS navigation device on the response and transport time intervals of an ambulance service operating in urban
setting. This was a three-month experimental study involving simulated ambulance dispatch based in a hospital. A total
of 50 simulated cycles were constructed. Travel time, arrival time and distance were documented from each cycle. The
median actual response time using map and GPS navigation device was 11.82 min and 10.47 min respectively. The median
actual transport time using map and GPS navigation device was 11.00 min and 10.74 min respectively. The differences in
response time and transport time between map and GPS navigation were not statistically significant (p= 0.215 and
p=0.710). The application of GPS reduced the error value between estimated and actual response time by 8.73%. It also
reduced the mean error value between estimated and actual transport time by 1.42%. The result shows that the GPS
navigation device allowed for more accurate travel time estimation and its application in an urban setting such as Kuala
Lumpur has the potential to reduce ambulance response time.
Emergency
;
GPS navigation
;
Prehospital care
;
Response time
;
Transport time
2.A Study of House Officers in a Teaching Hospital on Knowledge, Perception of Skills and Confidence Level in Performing CPR
Ismail Mohd Saiboon ; Noraliza Mohd Ariffin ; Teodoro Javier Herbosa ; Ahmad Khaldun Ismail ; Nariman Singmamae ; Shamsuriani Md Jamal ; Azhana Hassan ; Ho Siew Eng
Medicine and Health 2007;2(2):110-116
Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is important and should be mastered by House
Officers (HO). House officers who have just completed their studies are assigned to acute medical and surgical wards. If a patient in the ward has a cardiac arrest (CA), these
doctors are usually the first to attend. Therefore an HO must be confident with CPR skills.
They must be competent in performing CPR. The authors assessed 26 new HOs from
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM) with respect to their self-perception
about CPR skills, confidence level in performing CPR and knowledge in performing CPR.
Knowledge was assessed by a questionnaire. We found that 16 of 26 (61.5%) assessed
themselves to have inadequate knowledge and 46.2% had no confidence in performing
CPR. The mean score of the written test was 5.7 ± 1.8. Seven out of 26 (27.0%) HOs had
incorrect hand placement position for CPR. Only 4 and 9 out of 26 HOs had their sternal
paddle and cardiac apex paddle positions correctly placed respectively. In conclusion,
knowledge, perception of skills and confidence levels of HOs on CPR are inadequate and
need further assessment and improvement. Medical schools need to review their CPR
curriculum in order to prepare HOs adequately to work in emergency situations.
3.The Effectiveness of a Navigation System for Ambulance Service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ahmad Khaldun ISMAIL ; Yap Yah YUN ; Ainun Abdul GHANI ; Nurul Saadah AHMAD ; Abdul Karim MUSTAFA ; Shamsuriani Md JAMAL
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2018;Special Volume(1):166-173
The response and transport intervals of an ambulance dispatch are affected by various factors. The present ambulance system relies on the driver’s experience, knowledge of local road map and estimations of directions. These may contribute to delays, misdirection and inefficient utilization of resources. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of GPS navigation device on the response and transport time intervals of an ambulance service operating in urban setting. This was a three-month experimental study involving simulated ambulance dispatch based in a hospital. A total of 50 simulated cycles were constructed. Travel time, arrival time and distance were documented from each cycle. The median actual response time using map and GPS navigation device was 11.82 min and 10.47 min respectively. The median actual transport time using map and GPS navigation device was 11.00 min and 10.74 min respectively. The differences in response time and transport time between map and GPS navigation were not statistically significant (p= 0.215 and p=0.710). The application of GPS reduced the error value between estimated and actual response time by 8.73%. It also reduced the mean error value between estimated and actual transport time by 1.42%. The result shows that the GPS navigation device allowed for more accurate travel time estimation and its application in an urban setting such as Kuala Lumpur has the potential to reduce ambulance response time.
4.Management of asthma in adults in primary care
Andrea Ban Yu-lin ; Azza Omar ; Chong Li Yin ; Hilmi Lockman ; Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin ; Irfhan Ali Hyder Ali ; Jaya Muneswarao Ramadoo@Devudu ; Leong Swee Wei ; Mazapuspavina Md. Yasin ; Mohd Aminuddin Mohd Yusof ; Mohd. Arif Mohd. Zim ; Nor Azila Mohd. Isa ; Shamsuriani Md. Jamal ; Yoon Chee Kin ; Zul Imran Malek Abdol Hamid
Malaysian Family Physician 2018;13(3):20-26
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which is often misdiagnosed and
undertreated. Early diagnosis and vigilant asthma control are crucial to preventing permanent
airway damage, improving quality of life and reducing healthcare burdens. The key approaches
to asthma management should include patient empowerment through health education and selfmanagement and, an effective patient-healthcare provider partnership.
5.The Impact of 2013 Haze on Emergency Department Utilizations for Acute Respiratory Diseases: A Retrospective Study
Mohd Azim Ab Manap ; Shamsuriani Md Jamal ; Hilwani Kaharuddin ; Husyairi Harunarasid ; Mazrura Sahani ; Talib Bin Latif ; Nik Azlan Nik Muhamad
International Journal of Public Health Research 2024;14(no.1):1817-1822
Introduction:
Haze imposes a substantial health burden especially in Southeast Asia where occurrences are frequent. Reduction in air quality levels has resulted in an increase in healthcare utilization, especially to the front door of healthcare, the emergency department (ED). Data on ED utilization during haze period is lacking.
Methods:
This is a retrospective study aimed to determine the association between haze and ED utilization of haze-related acute respiratory illnesses between April 2013 to September 2013. The study period was divided into haze/ non-haze period. Clinical data was collected from the registration book and patients’ case notes. Environmental data was obtained from Institute of Environment and Development Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Results:
Total number of patients presented to ED during the study was 32,661. Fifteen percent (n= 5177) presented with acute respiratory symptoms. Total Emergency Department visits during haze period reduced due to emergency declaration, hence reducing non-emergency visits. However, there was a significant increase in hospital admission (p=0.0015) and infective respiratory illnesses (p=0.001) during haze which correlates with increase air pollutant. Patients with chronic respiratory illnesses were more affected by haze (p = 0.001). PM10 and ozone were the main pollutant during the haze period.
Conclusion
Increasing pollutant levels from the haze significantly increases ED hospital admission. Evidence from this study can influence policymakers to prepare and allocate resources to hospitals in response to haze-related illnesses.