OVERVIEW

The Department of Anaesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care has a total medical staff strength of approximately 32 members. The team is responsible for providing anaesthetic expertise for all types of surgery in the operating theatres.

In addition, the team works closely with primary physicians in the management of patients in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). The department also provides an Acute Pain Service for the management of acute post-operative and post-trauma pain. It also helps to manage patients with chronic pain both in-hospital and on an outpatient basis.

A pre-operative anaesthesia clinic was started in 2002 to assess patients’ fitness for operation.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The Department is active in conducting research and actively encourages Medical Officers to participate in these activities.

On-Going Studies

• Comparison of propofol doses for induction of anaesthesia when lignocaine is mixed or given separately (Completed)
• Audit on “fasting times” for day surgery patients (completed)
• Co-induction of anaesthesia with ketamine for oral surgery (Completed and published)
• Use of tramadol in the treatment of intrathecal anesthesia induced Shivering
• The Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway size selection in males and females
• Role of Patient Controlled Regional Anaesthesia (PCRA) Via a Femoral Catheter in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery
• Continuous subacromial or intrarticular ropivacaine infusion for post-shoulder surgery analgesia

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

The department provides training for both the basic and advance trainee in anaesthesia. Besides practical apprenticeship, the department organizes continuing medical education programs such as topic reviews and discussions, journal clubs, SICU case presentations, critical incident reporting and mortality/morbidity meetings.

Teaching and Viva sessions are regularly held for Medical Officer trainees taking their M.Med Anaesthesia Exams. Apart from organizing teaching programs for postgraduate anaesthesia students, members of this department are also actively involved in the teaching of medical undergraduates, nurses and paramedical staff.

TRAINING PROGRAMME IN ANAESTHESIA
The department accepts a total of 8 to 12 medical officers, approximately half are medical officer trainees, every 6 months. The posting will contribute 6 months of the required minimum period of 3 years training in the M.Med Anaesthesia Program.

BASIC SPECIALTY TRAINING (BST)

The basic trainee will participate in the elective and emergency anaesthetic management of patients undergoing procedures in the following areas:

• General Surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Urology
• Vascular Surgery
• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Dental Surgery
• Maxillofacial Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Opthalmology
• Neurosurgery
• Outpatient Surgery
• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Radiological Procedures

The trainee will also have exposure in general surgical intensive care, post-operative acute pain service and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The basic trainee is expected to participate actively in the continuing medical education and research activities of the department.

ADVANCED SPECIALTY TRAINING PROGRAM (AST)

ACCREDITATION
The department is recognized by the NUS School of Postgraduate Medical Studies for advanced specialty training.

CONTENT
In summary, the AST in Anaesthesia is a three-year program, designed to provide trainees with relevant clinical exposure and advanced knowledge so as to ensure clinical competence and foster a research culture.

WELFARE & FACILITIES FOR JUNIOR DOCTORS
Under construction