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“Every second matters” for medical emergencies, especially when it involves an organ like the heart, said an SCDF paramedic. SINGAPORE – Amid busy traffic one morning in September, a woman who suffered a cardiac arrest was being taken by an ambulance to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) in Jurong East. The woman in her 50s had fainted at the void deck of a Housing Board block in Jurong West Street 42. The ambulance took six minutes to reach the hospital. During that time, a team of Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedics, including Sergeant 3 (SGT3) Sharon Tan Yan An, treated the unconscious woman on board the vehicle. Arriving at the hospital, the woman’s heart began to pump again, and she was handed over to hospital staff to be looked after. The ambulance was able to reach the hospital faster due to a new system that gives SCDF’s emergency ambulances priority at certain traffic lights . Speaking to the media on Nov 22 at Jurong Fire Station where she is based, SGT3 Tan, 26, said: “Every second matters for such cases, especially when it involves an organ like the heart.” SGT3 Tan, who has been with SCDF for five years, added: “The faster we can reach (the hospital), the faster the patient can get care.” Announced at SCDF’s Workplan Seminar in July, the traffic priority system allows ambulances to have a “green light” path to the hospital and avoid getting stuck in traffic at junctions near hospitals or having to run red lights. The first phase of the system was implemented on July 15 and involved two ambulances operating from Jurong Fire Station and one from Bukit Batok Fire Station, and four junctions in the vicinity of NTFGH. Data recorded in these areas over the next three months showed a total of 76 activations for life-threatening medical emergencies for the three ambulances across three routes near the hospital. SCDF said the results indicated an average of 1min 40sec saved per trip. The system was developed by SCDF, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency, and the Land Transport Authority. It uses an electronic transponder in an ambulance to activate priority passage at designated traffic junctions near hospitals. At these junctions, sensors are linked to traffic light controllers, which trigger traffic lights in favour of an approaching ambulance. The sensors detect the in-vehicle transponder through radio waves and are activated as the ambulance approaches within 200m of the junction. Normal traffic operations resume after the ambulance crosses the junction. The next phase will be completed by the second quarter of 2025. It entails the installation of transponders in all other SCDF ambulances and the extension of the system’s coverage to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Changi General Hospital and National University Hospital. The system is scheduled to be fully rolled out by 2026 and will involve a total of 47 junctions serving nine public hospitals. “These time savings facilitated the earlier arrival and more timely treatment of patients at hospital emergency departments,” SCDF added. Colonel Hong Dehan, SCDF’s chief medical officer, said the implementation of the first phase of the traffic priority system has shown encouraging results, noting that the time saved is particularly important for cases of cardiac arrest, trauma or stroke. SGT3 Nur Ain Abdul Karim, 32, another paramedic from Jurong Fire Station, recounted an incident in July where she attended to a man who was bleeding from an old wound on his back. The man, in his 50s, agreed to go to the hospital, but started to lose consciousness when he headed to the toilet at the unit. He also began breathing abnormally and started having a seizure. Though he regained consciousness, he was in a confused state. He was taken to NTFGH in six minutes via a route with the traffic priority system. SGT3 Ain, who has been with SCDF for 61⁄2 years, said this was a life-threatening emergency, with the paramedics unaware of how much blood the man had lost prior to their arrival. With several unknowns, including how the injury was sustained, there was a need for the patient to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible for assessment and treatment, she said. “The faster we take the patient to the hospital, the faster they can intervene,” she added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowMock draft has Tennessee Titans selecting Arizona WR | Sporting Newslava genie 。

AN official report kept under wraps supports John Hunter Hospital surgeons' claims they were being pressured internally to re-categorise the urgency of surgeries to meet NSW Health targets. Login or signup to continue reading It says that "resourcing constraints" resulted in the downgrading of clinical urgency categories, and that there were "internal perceived pressures" to avoid "breaches". The report goes on to say clinical urgency reviews that resulted in longer waits were "influenced by non-patient factors such as resource constraints or to prevent breaching the maximum recommended wait time". A breach occurs when a surgery is postponed past the clinically recommended timeframe, which for category 1 (urgent) is 30 days, category 2 (semi-urgent) is 90 days, and category 3 (non-urgent) is 365 days. The Ernst & Young review , for which NSW Health was billed $275,000, also says that once a surgery's urgency was downgraded at the John, it was less likely to break set time-frames. That was more likely to occur in the days before the breach date and towards the end of a financial year. When the changes were taken into account, the hospital scored a recalculated breach rate of more than 10 per cent, compared with the previously officially reported breach rate of just 4.7 per cent. John Hunter Hospital's recalculated breach rate was double the NSW average. Chart reviews conducted as part of the review found that, in some cases, operating theatres were available to be booked, but high demand for ICU beds meant the planned surgery could not go ahead. That was attributed to 'cultural issues' such as difficulty retaining specialised staff, high demand for beds, and a preference for overnight stays, the report says. NSW Health has kept the report under wraps , agreeing to release only a heavily redacted version in response to numerous Newcastle Herald requests under the Government Information Public Access Act (GIPAA). In late 2022, senior clinicians publicly expressed frustration and desperation about the management of surgical waitlists. An external poll of 256 surgeons, anaesthetists, obstetricians and gynaecologists was conducted with the support of the doctors union, the Australian Medical Salaried Officers Federation (ASMOF). More than 80 per cent of the surgeons and proceduralists who responded said they had been asked by hospital staff to change the clinical urgency categories of patients on surgery waitlist to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set by the Ministry of Health. A summary of the poll said the routine re-categorisation of patients to avoid breaching waiting times hampered the timely delivery of surgical care to patients. One of the senior clinicians involved at that time, who has since retired, said surgical staff were routinely asked by staff to downgrade surgical urgency categories. If it was only a matter of a day or two he was happy to oblige, but not when it put patients at risk, he said. He said he was also aware of cases where urgency categories were changed with no consultation with the relevant clinician. NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce, the highest-level executive in the department with an annual salary in excess of $600,000, told Parliament when the issue was raised in late 2022 that her team would help with a "compliance check". The Ministry of Health would hire an independent team to do that so it could be "at arm's length", she said. Almost one-third of the document produced to the Herald and department heads at John Hunter Hospital is blacked out. The report does not focus solely on the John, or mention the doctor's claims. President of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) Nicholas Spooner said the system needed to be transparent and set realistic expectations for patients. "Business as usual shouldn't be to fudge the numbers to make things go away, it should be to resources things appropriately," Dr Spooner said. "Or, be clear about what you're doing, and the fact that the public's expectations should change. But you can't have both. "Instead of addressing the problem, or being open about the fact there is a problem, to fudge the numbers seems disingenuous." Amanda Cohn MLC, Greens NSW spokesperson for Health and Mental Health and a former GP, said decision-makers needed accurate data to inform decisions around policies and resourcing. "Wait lists for elective surgery should only be adjusted in the interest of patient health and safety, not to manipulate data so KPIs can appear to be met," Dr Cohn said. "This report confirms serious issues at HNELHD in particular that need to be addressed. "I've asked the Health Minister what's being done to make sure elective surgery waitlist data is accurate, and to ensure these unintended consequences of KPIs don't impact patient safety or resourcing." Hunter New England Health boss Tracey McCosker recently told staff that many of the issues identified in the report had since been addressed. Staff were also told that the allocated wait times should not be above people's expectations, but there was "a lot of pressure on our system" with competing factors. In a statement to the Herald, a Hunter New England Health spokesman referenced the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the disruption associated with the temporary suspension of non-urgent elective surgeries. "Along with increased demand from an ageing population, rising rates of chronic diseases, and workforce challenges, these factors have affected our surgical capacity," the statement said. Over the past two years, clinical operations had been streamlined under a single executive director to reduce complexity and maximise capacity, it said. A district-wide surgical governance committee, with a central medical lead, had also been established to "better optimise resources, improve patient access, and make the most of our extensive surgical network". "We are reinforcing education and accountability around the Elective Surgery Access Policy through regular clinician engagement, ensuring their involvement in decision-making at every stage," it said. "To reduce surgery wait times, we are reviewing theatre capacity, managing outpatient waitlists, and collaborating with private providers where possible. "Looking ahead, the rollout of the Single Digital Patient Record will enhance our ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver surgical services. "Further, the $835 million redevelopment of the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct will expand our intensive care and operating theatres to help meet growing demand." Community health & welfare, social justice, investigations, general news.Gabriel.Fowler@newcastleherald.com.au Community health & welfare, social justice, investigations, general news.Gabriel.Fowler@newcastleherald.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. 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Former President Jimmy Carter dies at age 100WASHINGTON - U.S. prosecutors moved on Monday to drop the two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump involving his efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat and his handling of classified documents, citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president. The steps by prosecutors working with Special Counsel Jack Smith in the two cases represent a big legal victory for the Republican president-elect, who won the Nov. 5 U.S. election and is set to return to office on Jan. 20. The Justice Department policy that the prosecutors cited dates back to the 1970s. It holds that a criminal prosecution of a sitting president would violate the U.S. Constitution by undermining the ability of the country's chief executive to function. Courts will still have to approve both requests from prosecutors. The prosecutors in a filing in the election subversion case said the department's policy requires the case to be dismissed before Trump returns to the White House. "This outcome is not based on the merits or strength of the case against the defendant," prosecutors wrote in the filing. Smith's office similarly moved to end its attempt to revive the case accusing Trump of illegally retaining classified documents when he left office in 2021 after his first term as president. But the prosecutors signaled they will still ask a federal appeals court to bring back the case against two Trump associates who had been accused of obstructing that investigation. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung hailed what he called "a major victory for the rule of law." Trump had faced criminal charges in four cases - the two brought by Smith and two in state courts in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in the New York case while the Georgia case is in limbo. In a post on social media, Trump railed on Monday against the legal cases as a "low point in the History of our Country." The moves by Smith, who was appointed in 2022 by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, represents a remarkable shift from the special prosecutor who obtained indictments against Trump in two separate cases accusing him of crimes that threatened U.S. election integrity and national security. Prosecutors acknowledged that the election of a president who faced ongoing criminal cases created an unprecedented predicament for the Justice Department. It shows how Trump's election victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris was not just a political triumph, but also a legal one. Trump pleaded not guilty in August 2023 to four federal charges accusing him of conspiring to obstruct the collection and certification of votes following his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump, who as president will again oversee the Justice Department, was expected to order an end to the federal 2020 election case and to Smith's appeal in the documents case. Florida-based Judge Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed to the federal bench, had dismissed the classified documents case in July, ruling that Smith was improperly appointed to his role as special counsel. Smith's office had been appealing that ruling and indicated on Monday that the appeal would continue as it relates to Trump personal aide Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, a manager at his Mar-a-Lago resort, who had been previously charged alongside Trump in the case. Both Nauta and De Oliveria have pleaded not guilty, as did Trump. In the 2020 election case, Trump's lawyers had previously said they would seek to dismiss the charges based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution over official actions taken while in the White House. Smith attempted to salvage the case following that ruling, dropping some allegations but arguing that the rest were not covered by presidential immunity and could proceed to trial. Judge Tanya Chutkan had been due to decide whether the immunity decision required other portions of the case to be thrown out. A trial date originally set for March 2024 had not been rescheduled. The case was brought following an investigation led by Smith into Trump's attempts to retain power following his 2020 election defeat, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his supporters following his inflammatory speech near the White House. Trump denied wrongdoing and argued that the U.S. legal system had been turned against him to damage his presidential campaign. He vowed during the campaign that he would fire Smith if he returned to the presidency. Trump in May became the first former president to be convicted of a crime when a jury in New York found him guilty of felony charges relating to hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election. His sentencing in that case has been indefinitely postponed. The criminal case against Trump in Georgia state court involving the 2020 election is stalled. — Reuters

ICU Medical VP Daniel Woolson sells $350,158 in stockBOSTON — Forty years ago, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie rolled to his right and threw a pass that has become one of college football’s most iconic moments. With Boston College trailing defending champion Miami, Flutie threw the Hail Mary and found receiver Gerard Phalen, who made the grab while falling into the end zone behind a pair of defenders for a game-winning 48-yard TD. Flutie and many of his 1984 teammates were honored on the field during BC’s 41-21 victory over North Carolina before the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the anniversary of the Eagles’ Miracle in Miami. “There’s no way its been 40 years,” Flutie told The Associated Press on the sideline a few minutes before he walked out with some of his former teammates to be recognized after a video of The Play was shown on the scoreboards. A statue commemorating Doug Flutie's famed "Hail Mary" pass during a game against Miami on Nov. 23, 1994, sits outside Alumni Stadium at Boston College. Famous football plays often attain a legendary status with religious names like the "Immaculate Reception," the "Hail Mary" pass and the Holy Roller fumble. It’s a moment and highlight that’s not only played throughout decades of BC students and fans, but around the college football world. “What is really so humbling is that the kids 40 years later are wearing 22 jerseys, still,” Flutie said of his old number. “That amazes me.” That game was played on national TV the Friday after Thanksgiving. The ironic thing is it was originally scheduled for earlier in the season before CBS paid Rutgers to move its game against Miami, thus setting up the BC-Miami post-holiday matchup. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie rejoices in his brother Darren's arms after B.C. defeats Miami with a last second touchdown pass on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami. “It shows you how random some things are, that the game was moved,” Flutie said. “The game got moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was the most watched game of the year. We both end up being nationally ranked and up there. All those things lent to how big the game itself was, and made the pass and the catch that much more relevant and remembered because so many people were watching.” There’s a statue of Flutie winding up to make The Pass outside the north gates at Alumni Stadium. Fans and visitors can often be seen taking photos there. “In casual conversation, it comes up every day,” Flutie said, when asked how many times people bring it up. “It brings a smile to my face every time we talk about it.” A week after the game-ending Flutie pass, the Eagles beat Holy Cross and before he flew off to New York to accept the Heisman. They went on to win the 49th Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie evades Miami defensive tackle Kevin Fagan during the first quarter of a game on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami, Fla. “Forty years seem almost like incomprehensible,” said Phalen, also standing on the sideline a few minutes after the game started. “I always say to Doug: ‘Thank God for social media. It’s kept it alive for us.”’ Earlier this week, current BC coach Bill O’Brien, 55, was asked if he remembered where he was 40 years ago. “We were eating Thanksgiving leftovers in my family room,” he said. “My mom was saying a Rosary in the kitchen because she didn’t like Miami and wanted BC to win. My dad, my brother and I were watching the game. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Everybody remembers where they were for the Hail Mary, Flutie pass.” Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 17 in Chicago. India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!