Kevin Moissinac1, Sukumar Mahesan2, Zaininah Md Zain2, Ahmad Tajudin Jafaar3 and Se To Boon Chong2
1.Penang Medical College
2. Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
3. Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
Correspondence: Dr Kevin Moissinac; e-mail:
CITATION: Kevin Moissinac, Sukumar Mahesan, Zaininah Md Zain, Ahmad Tajudin Jafaar, Se To Boon Chong. Vascular services at Hospital Pulau Pinang. International Medical Research Journal. 2002;6(1):15–20.
ABSTRACT
The availability of vascular surgery services is relatively recent in Malaysia. An audit was undertaken to determine the magnitude and trend of the workload in a Tertiary Referral Centre with 1,236 beds. A retrospective review of outpatient attendances, non-invasive vascular investigation, and operative workload was carried out. A prospective running audit waiting list for haemodialysis vascular access construction and maintenance was also conducted. All items of service were found to be on the increase. The mean number of patients seen as new referrals and follow-up patients increased 35.9% (13.1 to 17.8) and 123.3% (26.6 to 59.4) respectively. The prospective running audit of the waiting list for haemodialysis vascular access construction increased from by 51.1 % (47-71) despite a mean of 5 .5 procedures being performed a week. The current vascular surgery services involve limb and life-preserving procedures such as haemodialysis vascular access construction and maintenance, long-term intravenous access, major arterial reconstruction and intervention for trauma. Service workload is substantial and staffing inadequate. An increase in staffing and an independent operational budget is required to cope with service requirements.
KEYWORDS: vascular services, vascular surgery, northern Peninsular Malaysia
