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Tan RMR, Ong GYK, Chong SL, Soo JSL, Ganapathy S, Tyebally A, Lee KP. Pretriage criteria for identifying COVID-19-positive patients in the paediatric emergency department. Singapore Med J 2023:384050. [PMID: 37675677 DOI: 10.4103/singaporemedj.smj-2021-381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ming Ren Tan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Gene Yong-Kwang Ong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Shu-Ling Chong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Sashikumar Ganapathy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Arif Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Khai Pin Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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Tyebally A, Foo YY, Dong C. Preparing junior doctors to work in a paediatric emergency department using situated and team-based learning: a qualitative study. Singapore Med J 2023:374493. [PMID: 37171418 DOI: 10.4103/singaporemedj.smj-2020-369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Arif Tyebally
- Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Chaoyan Dong
- Office of Education, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore
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Tan RMR, Sherwood SA, Kavalloor NV, Feng JXY, Tyebally A, Chong SL. Child passenger safety training for healthcare professionals in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singap 2022; 51:657-660. [PMID: 36317578 DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2022169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ming Ren Tan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
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Abstract
Background: To meet ACGME-I (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–International) training and duty hour requirements, we converted our 3-week-long pediatric emergency medicine induction program to an eLearning program. Objectives: The study aimed to identify areas of the eLearning program residents perceived useful and the components that helped them prepare for clinical work. Methods: The qualitative study took place in a tertiary pediatric emergency department. Twenty-seven residents from family medicine, emergency medicine, and pediatric medicine participated in focus group discussions to explore how they perceived the eLearning program helped prepare them for work. The interviews were audio-recorded, and transcripts were analyzed and coded into categories and themes. Results: Four themes emerged from the data analysis: residents’ access to the eLearning program, instructional methods, eLearning design elements, and supplementary learning. Residents valued autonomy to control their pace of learning and use online features that matched their preferred learning styles. Design features such as the use of questions and quizzes helped stimulate learning, but attention had to be paid to the order of questions in the modules and the format of the questions. Written guidelines served as a good reference for learners and face-to-face sessions accompanying the eLearning program helped reinforce knowledge and offered opportunities to interact with faculty members to clarify questions. Conclusion: Systematic planning focusing on access, instructional methods, and design is essential when creating eLearning programs for residency training. eLearning programs can be enhanced by the incorporation of team-based learning and having accompanying written content to reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Tyebally
- Emergency Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
| | - Chaoyan Dong
- Office of Education, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore
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Tan RMR, Ganapathy S, Tyebally A, Lee KP, Chong SL, Soo JSL, Thoon KC, Chan YH, Ng KC. Paediatric emergency department attendances during COVID-19 and SARS
in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singap 2021. [DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: We evaluated the impact of public health measures on paediatric emergency
department attendances during the COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
outbreaks in Singapore.
Methods: Between 1 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, we retrospectively reviewed paediatric
emergency department attendances and admissions in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Singapore
before and after a national lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore. Hospital
attendances and admissions were compared with data from a corresponding period in 2019 (1 January 2019
to 31 July 2019), as well as during and after the SARS outbreak (1 January 2003 to 31 December 2004).
Results: Compared with a corresponding non-outbreak period, emergency department attendances
decreased in line with nationwide public health measures during the COVID-19 and SARS outbreaks
(2020 and 2003 respectively), before increasing gradually following lifting of restrictions, albeit not
to recorded levels before these outbreaks. During the COVID-19 outbreak, mean daily attendances
decreased by 40%, from 458 per day in January–July 2019, to 274 per day in January–July 2020. The
absolute number of hospital inpatient admissions decreased by 37% from January–July 2019 (19,629) to
January–July 2020 (12,304). The proportion of emergency department attendances requiring admission
remained similar: 20% in January–July 2019 and 21% in January–July 2020.
Conclusion: Nationwide public health measures in Singapore have had an impact on paediatric
emergency department attendances and hospital inpatient admissions. Data from this study could inform
planning and resource allocation for emergency departments in Singapore and internationally.
Keywords: COVID-19, paediatric emergency department, public health measures, SARS
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Chong SL, Soo JSL, Allen JC, Ganapathy S, Lee KP, Tyebally A, Yung CF, Thoon KC, Ng YH, Oh JY, Teoh OH, Mok YH, Chan YH. Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergencies and hospitalizations in Singapore. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:562. [PMID: 33353540 PMCID: PMC7755581 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02469-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the provision of health services in all specialties. We aim to study the impact of COVID-19 on the utilization of pediatric hospital services including emergency department (ED) attendances, hospitalizations, diagnostic categories and resource utilization in Singapore. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of ED attendances and hospital admissions among children < 18 years old from January 1st to August 8th 2020 in a major pediatric hospital in Singapore. Data were analyzed in the following time periods: Pre-lockdown (divided by the change in Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level), during-lockdown and post-lockdown. We presented the data using proportions and percentage change in mean counts per day with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS We attended to 58,367 children with a mean age of 5.1 years (standard deviation, SD 4.6). The mean ED attendance decreased by 331 children/day during lockdown compared to baseline (p < 0.001), attributed largely to a drop in respiratory (% change - 87.9, 95% CI - 89.3 to - 86.3, p < 0.001) and gastrointestinal infections (% change - 72.4, 95%CI - 75.9 to - 68.4, p < 0.001). Trauma-related diagnoses decreased at a slower rate across the same periods (% change - 40.0, 95%CI - 44.3 to - 35.3, p < 0.001). We saw 226 children with child abuse, with a greater proportion of total attendance seen post-lockdown (79, 0.6%) compared to baseline (36, 0.2%) (p < 0.001). In terms of ED resource utilization, there was a decrease in the overall mean number of procedures performed per day during the lockdown compared to baseline, driven largely by a reduction in blood investigations (% change - 73.9, 95%CI - 75.9 to - 71.7, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We highlighted a significant decrease in infection-related presentations likely attributed to the lockdown and showed that the relative proportion of trauma-related attendances increased. By describing the impact of COVID-19 on health services, we report important trends that may provide guidance when planning resources for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ling Chong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100, Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 229899, Singapore.
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | | | - John Carson Allen
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sashikumar Ganapathy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100, Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khai Pin Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100, Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Arif Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100, Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chee Fu Yung
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Infectious Disease Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Koh Cheng Thoon
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yong Hong Ng
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jean Yin Oh
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Oon Hoe Teoh
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yee Hui Mok
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Children's Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yoke Hwee Chan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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Tan RMR, Ong GYK, Chong SL, Ganapathy S, Tyebally A, Lee KP. Dynamic adaptation to COVID-19 in a Singapore paediatric emergency department. Emerg Med J 2020; 37:252-254. [PMID: 32321705 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2020-209634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Singapore was one of the earliest countries affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in early February 2020 than any other country outside China. This short report is a narrative review of our tertiary paediatric emergency department (ED) perspective and experience managing the evolving outbreak situation. Logistic considerations included the segregation of the ED into physically separate high-risk, intermediate-risk and low-risk areas, with risk-adapted use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare personnel in each ED area. Workflow considerations included the progressive introduction of outpatient COVID-19 testing in the ED for enhanced surveillance; adapting the admissions process particularly for high-risk and intermediate-risk cases; and the management of unwell accompanying adult caregivers. Manpower considerations included the reorganisation of medical manpower into modular teams to mitigate the risk of hospital transmission of COVID-19. Future plans for a tiered isolation facility should include structural modifications for the permanent isolation facility such as anterooms for PPE donning/doffing; replication of key ED functions in the tent facility such as a separate resuscitation room and portable X-ray room; and refresher PPE training. Dynamic reassessment of ED workflow processes, in conjunction with the hospital and national public health response, may help in managing this novel disease entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ming Ren Tan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore .,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Gene Yong-Kwang Ong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Shu-Ling Chong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Sashikumar Ganapathy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Arif Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Khai Pin Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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Chua JL, Ng LC, Lee VJ, Ong MEH, Lim EL, Lim HCS, Ooi CK, Tyebally A, Seow E, Chen MIC. Utility of Spatial Point-Pattern Analysis Using Residential and Workplace Geospatial Information to Localize Potential Outbreak Sources. Am J Epidemiol 2019; 188:940-949. [PMID: 30877759 PMCID: PMC6494671 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the source of an outbreak facilitates its control. Spatial methods are not optimally used in outbreak investigation, due to a mix of the complexities involved (e.g., methods requiring additional parameter selection), imperfect performance, and lack of confidence in existing options. We simulated 30 mock outbreaks and compared 5 simple methods that do not require parameter selection but could select between mock cases’ residential and workplace addresses to localize the source. Each category of site had a unique spatial distribution; residential and workplace address were visually and statistically clustered around the residential neighborhood and city center sites respectively, suggesting that the value of workplace addresses is tied to the location where an outbreak might originate. A modification to centrographic statistics that we propose—the center of minimum geometric distance with address selection—was able to localize the mock outbreak source to within a 500 m radius in almost all instances when using workplace in combination with residential addresses. In the sensitivity analysis, when given sufficient workplace data, the method performed well in various scenarios with only 10 cases. It was also successful when applied to past outbreaks, except for a multisite outbreak from a common food supplier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L Chua
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Vernon J Lee
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Marcus E H Ong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Er Luen Lim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Hoon Chin Steven Lim
- Department of Accident and Emergency, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Chee Kheong Ooi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Arif Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Eillyne Seow
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Mark I-Cheng Chen
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
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9
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Tan RMR, Dong C, Shen GQ, Feng JXY, Piragasam R, Tyebally A, Chong SL. Parental knowledge and beliefs on the use of child car restraints in Singapore: a qualitative study. Singapore Med J 2019; 61:102-107. [PMID: 30773603 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2019023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Road traffic injuries and fatalities represent a significant public health problem. In Singapore, compliance with appropriate child car restraints (CCRs) is poor. We aimed to understand parental knowledge, beliefs and barriers regarding the use of CCRs. METHODS In this qualitative study, we conducted five focus group discussions with parents who drive with their children in private cars. Participants were recruited using the KK Women's and Children's Hospital's social media page. Guiding questions were derived by consensus following literature review and adaptation to the Singapore context, exploring parental perceptions of CCR use. Focus group interviews were then transcribed and analysed. RESULTS 33 participants were recruited, with an age range of 28‒46 (mean age 35.5) years. They had a total of 46 children with ages ranging from 2.5 months to 14 years (mean age 4.2 years). Three key themes were identified: parental knowledge regarding CCRs, barriers to CCR use, and suggestions to increase CCR compliance. Barriers to compliance included lack of knowledge, difficult child behaviour and cultural norms. A multipronged approach was proposed to increase CCR use, including educating the public, reinforcing positive behaviour, legal enforcement as a deterrent to non-compliance, increasing CCR installation services, providing CCRs for taxi users and offering financial incentives. CONCLUSION Non-compliance to CCR use is multidimensional, including multiple potentially modifiable factors. This study could inform ongoing collaborative injury prevention efforts among healthcare professionals, industry partners and the traffic police, using public education and outreach to reduce the burden of road traffic injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Ming Ren Tan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Chaoyan Dong
- Department of Education, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Germac Qiaoyue Shen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jasmine Xun Yi Feng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Rupini Piragasam
- KK Research Centre, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Arif Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Shu-Ling Chong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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Goh SS, Chong SL, Tyebally A. Danger in Shopping Centres - A Study on Escalator-Related Injuries in Children in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singap 2018; 47:353-356. [PMID: 30242303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Sm Goh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
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11
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Chong SL, Tyebally A, Chew SY, Lim YC, Feng XY, Chin ST, Lee LK. Road traffic injuries among children and adolescents in Singapore - Who is at greatest risk? Accid Anal Prev 2017; 100:59-64. [PMID: 28110260 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pediatric road traffic injuries remain a significant cause of death and disability in many countries in Asia, despite the implementation of road traffic safety laws. We aim to describe the injuries, the use of restraints among road users, and risk factors associated with severe injuries for children in Singapore. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of road traffic injuries presenting to the only two pediatric tertiary care hospitals in Singapore, from January 2012 to April 2016. We included children <16years old presenting to the emergency departments within 24h after injury (pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, motor vehicle). We calculated the frequencies for specific injury mechanisms, injury severity scores (ISS), and in-hospital outcomes of severe injuries (death, urgent resuscitation and emergent surgery). We performed a multivariate logistic regression to determine risk factors associated with severe injury. RESULTS There were 2468 patients during the study period. The mean age was 7.9 years (SD 4.7); 60.1% of road injuries involved motor vehicle occupants (1483/2468). Most bicyclist/motorcyclists were not wearing helmets (70.0%, 245/350) and 51.1% of motor vehicle passengers (758/1483) were not restrained. Compared to motor vehicle passengers, pedestrians (adjusted OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.41-3.99), bicyclists (adjusted OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.04-4.32) and motorcyclists (adjusted OR 6.09, 95% CI 2.04-18.24) were more likely to sustain severe injuries. CONCLUSION Child pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are especially vulnerable for severe injures. Further injury prevention efforts must focus on the enforcement of legislation to protect these high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ling Chong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Arif Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Su Yah Chew
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.
| | - Yang Chern Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.
| | - Xun Yi Feng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
| | - Sock Teng Chin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore.
| | - Lois K Lee
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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Tripathi M, Tyebally A, Feng JXY, Chong SL. A review of stroller-related and pram-related injuries to children in Singapore. Inj Prev 2016; 23:60-63. [PMID: 26929260 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Prams and strollers are commonly used in daily childcare. We aim to study the type and severity of injuries associated with prams and strollers in an Asian population. We performed a retrospective review of children below the age of 6 who presented to a tertiary paediatric hospital in Singapore, from January 2012 to June 2015, with such injuries. There were 248 pram-related and stroller-related injuries. The median age was 12.5 months old. 69 (27.8%) sustained open wounds, 17 (6.9%) suffered fractures or dislocations and 2 children had significant head injuries. 29 patients (11.7%) sustained injuries while on stairs or escalators. Most of the injuries (197 cases, 79.4%) occurred despite adult supervision. The need for intervention was associated with older age and entrapment injuries (p<0.001). Only appropriately sized prams and strollers without exposed hinges should be used. These should not be deployed on stairs and escalators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasvin Tripathi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Woman's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Arif Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Woman's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS medical school, Singapore
| | - Jasmine Xun Yi Feng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Woman's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shu-Ling Chong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Woman's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS medical school, Singapore
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13
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Tyebally A, Ang SY. Kids can't float: epidemiology of paediatric drowning and near-drowning in Singapore. Singapore Med J 2010; 51:429-433. [PMID: 20593149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this research was to study the epidemiology of paediatric near-drowning and drowning victims in Singapore so as to determine the risk factors that will guide drowning prevention strategies. METHODS A total of 38 children aged 0-16 years, who were managed in the Emergency Departments of the Singapore Health Services network or the Department of Forensic Medicine, Health Sciences Authority, for drowning and near-drowning between February 2002 and January 2004, were surveyed as part of the Childhood Injury Surveillance Project. Data on demographics, the location of injury, environmental factors and injury particulars was collected by means of questionnaire forms, review of the in-patient records and the coroner's reports. RESULTS A total of 38 drowning or near-drowning cases in Singapore were reported during the study period, with nine deaths. The median age of the victims was 6.3 years. 52.6 percent of the incidents occurred in swimming pools. 60 percent of the swimming pools had a lifeguard on duty, and all the deaths that occurred in swimming pools were in those without a lifeguard. In 39.5 percent of the cases, no safety features were present at the site of the incident. Most of the deaths by drowning occurred in the sea (55.5 percent). CONCLUSION Deaths by drowning are preventable, and appropriate environmental redesign, legislation and public education are necessary to reduce the rate of paediatric drowning. The important factors that are lacking include the absence of pool fencing and lifeguards at swimming pools and recreational beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tyebally
- Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899.
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