Knowing when to visit the emergency department can save lives

March 24, 2021

Healthcaretoday, healthcrtoday, accident and emergency department, A&E department, kecemasan, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV),

Breathing difficulties, chest and abdominal pains, bleeding that cannot be stopped, blood in the urine, bloody diarrhoea or the sudden inability to see, walk or move all warrant a trip to the A&E.

Taking a trip to the hospital’s Accident & Emergency (A&E) can seem a little daunting, and most people would brush off injuries that they deem as minor so they would not have to receive treatment – however, this is not always the best course of action to take.

Although the A&E department may conjure up images of serious injuries from accidents, falls or an extraordinarily high temperature, the department also treats a wide range of medical scenarios that may seem minor at the time, but could lead to a significant issue if left untreated.

Dr Wee Tong Ming (pix), Consultant Emergency Physician from Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) shares that Malaysians need to be aware of various symptoms they may be facing – paying attention to these signs may end up saving their lives, or others.

“Although many tend to downplay their symptoms, especially now during the pandemic situation, one must be mindful of changes in their health and wellbeing. This may include sudden or prolonged breathing difficulties, chest and abdominal pains, bleeding that cannot be stopped, blood in the urine, bloody diarrhoea or the sudden inability to see, walk or move. These all warrant a trip to the A&E,” he says.

Prioritising Patient Safety
Since the onset of the pandemic, most patients have withheld from visiting hospitals or healthcare centres as they are concerned about contracting the virus. From the start, SMCV has put multiple measures in place to allay these worries and will continue to do so to ensure the safety of everybody in the hospital, from the doctors and medical staff to the patients and their visitors in the building.

Dr Kheng Kien Hou, Resident Medical Officer at SMCV notes that patients who require ambulance assistance to shuttle them to the hospital will not have to worry about paying a high fee as the hospital only charges RM50 for patients within a 6-kilometre radius. This special feature is only applicable for bookings and appointments that are made at least one day before.

“We understand that some patients may hesitate to visit the hospital or utilise the ambulance services due to worries about cost, and we want to be able to provide quality care and assistance to those who need it most. By lowering the ambulance fee, we hope that more patients who require medical assistance will use the facility to get the treatment they need, whenever they need it,” he says.

Additionally, the doctors and nurses of SMCV, including those in the A&E department have received the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines in their bid to better serve their patients in this fight against the pandemic.

While it is important for patients to know when to visit the A&E, Dr Wee adds that it is equally as important for all Malaysians to maintain good health and practice proper precautions, so they do not need to be in a position where they require emergency treatment.

“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best thing one can do for themselves – exercise, maintain a proper diet, and keep your mind healthy as well. If you are on any medications, take them as prescribed and listen to your doctor’s advice. If you are unwell, either physically or mentally, do not delay seeking treatment and get to the root of the problem before it progresses into something that requires more complex treatment. Early detection and treatment can change the outcome greatly if it is taken care of from the start,” he says.

Medical outreach programme for the Cheras community
To further the hospital’s efforts to provide quality healthcare for their patients and surrounding communities, SMCV will be organising a medical outreach programme to provide healthcare services to the Cheras community.

From March to April, the SMCV medical team will travel through residential areas within the vicinity to provide medical assessments and check-ups by an A&E doctor from the hospital itself. Additionally, SMCV will also provide updates on the programme via their social media platforms.

Knowing when to visit the emergency department can save lives

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