Sustainable Healthcare Education: USM Experts Collaborate on Airway Training in Hospital Besut
Sustainable Healthcare Education: USM Experts Collaborate on Airway Training in Hospital Besut
On the 12th of February 2025, Hospital Besut, Terengganu, made history by hosting its first-ever airway workshop—an initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in the region. This milestone event was meticulously planned to provide medical personnel with the latest advancements in airway management, particularly in handling difficult airways.
The event was graced by two esteemed medical lecturers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Associate Professor Dr. Rhendra Hardy and Dr. Muhamad Aizuddin Bin Ismail, whose expertise played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the workshop. Their presence underscored the commitment of USM to improving healthcare standards through education and hands-on training.
The workshop commenced with an insightful speech by Associate Professor Dr. Rhendra Hardy on airway assessment, providing participants with a fundamental understanding of identifying and managing difficult airways. His lecture covered crucial aspects such as predictive indicators of difficult intubation, various airway assessment tools, and decision-making strategies to ensure effective airway management in critical situations. Following this comprehensive introduction, he led the hands-on station focusing on intubation and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion. The practical session allowed participants to engage in direct application of their theoretical knowledge, refining their intubation techniques under expert guidance and gaining confidence in handling airway emergencies.
Dr. Muhamad Aizuddin Bin Ismail delivered an engaging and highly informative talk on awake fiberoptic intubation—a crucial skill in managing difficult airways, especially in patients with limited mouth opening or cervical spine instability. His lecture delved into the indications, contraindications, and step-by-step techniques for performing awake fiberoptic intubation effectively. Following his lecture, he spearheaded the hands-on session dedicated to awake fiberoptic intubation, offering participants the opportunity to gain practical experience in a controlled learning environment. This session was particularly well-received, as it addressed real-world challenges faced by anesthesiologists and emergency physicians in difficult airway cases.
The contributions of these distinguished experts from USM have significantly benefited the Besut healthcare community. By sharing their vast knowledge and hands-on expertise, they have strengthened the capability of local healthcare professionals in managing difficult airway scenarios, ultimately improving patient safety and clinical outcomes. The interactive nature of the workshop fostered active engagement, with participants having the opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenging cases, and receive valuable feedback from the experts.
This landmark workshop represents a breakthrough in medical education for the Besut region. As the first course of its kind in the area, it sets a precedent for future training initiatives, ensuring continuous professional development and a higher standard of care for the local population. The success of the Besut Airway Workshop 2025 underscores the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and healthcare facilities in advancing medical education and practice. Such initiatives are vital in ensuring that healthcare professionals remain updated with the latest techniques and best practices in airway management, ultimately leading to improved patient care.
Beyond the technical aspects, the workshop also provided an opportunity for networking and professional collaboration among healthcare practitioners. Participants from various medical backgrounds, including anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, medical officers, and nurses, had the chance to exchange knowledge, experiences, and strategies for managing complex airway cases. This multidisciplinary approach fostered a sense of unity and shared responsibility in delivering high-quality medical care.
With this significant milestone, Hospital Besut has taken a crucial step forward in elevating healthcare standards, reinforcing its commitment to providing high-quality medical training and patient care. The hope remains that this inaugural workshop will serve as a catalyst for future airway management courses, further empowering the medical fraternity in Besut and beyond. Plans are already underway to make the Besut Airway Workshop an annual event, with aspirations of expanding its scope to include more advanced airway techniques, simulation-based learning, and collaboration with international experts in the field.
In conclusion, the Besut Airway Workshop 2025 has set a remarkable foundation for ongoing medical education in the region. The overwhelming positive response from participants is a testament to the event’s success and its impact on the healthcare community. By continuing such initiatives, Hospital Besut and Universiti Sains Malaysia are paving the way for a future where healthcare professionals are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle airway emergencies effectively, ultimately saving lives and enhancing patient outcomes.