WHERE EVERY SECOND MATTERS - FROM EMERGENCY TO RECOVERY

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- For many Malaysians, the daily commute by motorcycle or car is a routine necessity, yet road accidents remain a constant and often fatal threat.

Recent statistics reveal that between March 14, 2024, and March 18, 2025, a road accident occurred approximately every 50 seconds in Malaysia, with a fatality recorded roughly every one hour and 56 minutes.

Beyond traffic accidents, falls, workplace mishaps, and sports injuries contribute significantly to the national burden of musculoskeletal trauma.

At Sunway Medical Centre (SMC), Sunway City, Consultant Emergency Physician Dr Mohd Khalis Abdul Rahim and Consultant Orthopaedic and Advanced Musculoskeletal Trauma Surgeon Dr Mohamad Hafiz Mohmad Hassim work in tandem to manage these critical cases.

In the high-stakes environment of the Trauma Bay, Dr Mohd Khalis explained that the team employs the ‘ABCDE’ approach (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure) to prioritise and treat life-threatening issues immediately.

He noted that trauma care is a multidisciplinary effort involving emergency doctors, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists, and anaesthetists.

“It’s about saving life first, then the limb. If we detect blocked airways, bleeding, or internal injuries, we act immediately, sometimes even before scans are done,” Dr Mohd Khalis said in a statement today.

He also reminded the public that many patients underestimate their injuries, looking fine on the outside while suffering from internal damage.

Once a patient is stabilised, Dr Mohamad Hafiz takes over the assessment and surgical planning, emphasising that there is no luxury of time in trauma cases.

He said that while complex cases require surgery, a good surgeon knows how to operate, but a great one knows when not to, especially for children or high-risk elderly patients.

“In trauma, you don’t have the luxury of time. You assess the patient, perform the necessary scans, stabilise them, and decide on the next steps quickly. Communication between teams is crucial. Everyone needs to move in sync,” Dr Mohamad Hafiz said.

Modern imaging technology has transformed this process, with Dr Mohamad Hafiz noting that 3D imaging now allows surgeons to plan procedures more accurately and choose the correct implants.

Dr Mohd Khalis added that interventional radiologists now play a vital role by stopping internal bleeding without open surgery, which significantly increases a patient's chance of survival.

Recovery, however, does not end in the operating theatre in which Dr Mohamad Hafiz stressed that half of the recovery process depends on physiotherapy and rehabilitation, which can begin as early as one or two days after surgery to prevent joints from stiffening.

Regarding public safety, Dr Mohd Khalis concluded that prevention remains the best medicine, urging the use of helmets, seatbelts, and child car seats to reduce injuries by half.

He also advised motorists to maintain their vehicles and avoid speeding, as high speeds significantly increase the risk of severe trauma.

-- BERNAMA