Comparing Acute Medical Unit care versus usual ward care for adults with sudden medical illnesses
Potential of Interface Care Models to Deliver More Appropriate Care to Patients With Acute Medical Illness in Singapore and Decrease Utilisation of Acute Care Bed-days
This research will see if care in an Acute Medical Unit (AMU) leads to better outcomes than usual general-ward care for adults admitted from the emergency department with infections, falls, or COPD flare-ups.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 220 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National University Hospital, Singapore Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Singapore) |
| Trial ID | NCT07536035 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Investigators will compare patients admitted from the emergency department to an Acute Medical Unit (AMU) with similar patients admitted directly to general wards at a major Singapore hospital, using observational methods to match similar clinical profiles. The team will examine clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness outcomes such as length of stay, complications, readmissions, and resource use. Key inclusion criteria are adults 21 and older with acute medical illnesses including infection-related conditions, falls/disequilibrium, or COPD exacerbations, while people who are pregnant, on active chemotherapy, admitted under 24 hours, or requiring acute stroke interventions are excluded. The study leverages Singapore’s national healthcare setting and academic partnerships to compare how different interface care models perform in real-world practice.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 21 or older admitted from the emergency department with acute medical illnesses such as infection, falls-related problems, or COPD exacerbation who are not pregnant and not receiving active chemotherapy.
Not a fit: People younger than 21, pregnant patients, patients on active chemotherapy, those admitted for less than 24 hours, or patients requiring acute thrombolysis or intravascular intervention for stroke are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help hospitals deliver more timely, appropriate, and cost-effective care for adults with acute medical problems, potentially reducing complications, length of stay, and readmissions.
How similar studies have performed: Other implementations of Acute Medical Units and interface care models have shown generally favorable but variable results—often reducing length of stay and improving throughput—so effectiveness appears to depend on local implementation.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * AMU inclusion criteria - admission from ED to AMU directly * Control group inclusion criteria - admission from ED to GW directly * Acute medical illnesses that includes infection-related conditions, falls-disequilibrium, and acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Exclusion Criteria: * Below 21 years old * Patients undergoing active chemotherapy * Patients with active pregnancy * Patients admitted less than 24 hours * Cerebrovascular disease requiring thrombolysis or intravascular intervention
Where this trial is running
Singapore
- National University Hospital — Singapore, Singapore (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: John TY Soong, PhD
- Email: John_Soong@nuhs.edu.sg
- Phone: +6567727678
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.