Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 2021
Multicenter StudyFactors reducing inappropriate attendances to emergency departments before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicentre study.
Inappropriate attendances (IAs) to emergency departments (ED) create an unnecessary strain on healthcare systems. With decreased ED attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study postulates that there are less IAs compared to before the pandemic and identifies factors associated with IAs. ⋯ ED IAs decreased during COVID-19. The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to examine factors associated with IAs.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 2021
Observational StudyOutcomes of second-tier rapid response activations in a tertiary referral hospital: A prospective observational study.
A second-tier rapid response team (RRT) is activated for patients who do not respond to first-tier measures. The premise of a tiered response is that first-tier responses by a ward team may identify and correct early states of deterioration or establish goals of care, thereby reducing unnecessary escalation of care to the RRT. Currently, utilisation and outcomes of tiered RRTs remain poorly described. ⋯ Critical care interventions and escalation of care are common with second-tier RRTs. This supports the need for dedicated teams with specialised critical care services. Poor functional status, metastatic and haematological cancer are significantly associated with mortality, independent of age, NEWS and ICU admission. These factors should be considered during triage and goals of care discussion.