The clinical management of snakebite envenoming in Malaysia has been neglected for some time and has indirectly caused widespread inappropriate practices which may have resulted in poor outcome. Through the efforts of a small group of Emergency Physicians with special interest in Clinical Toxinology, a voluntary service called Remote Envenomation Consultation Services RECS was established. RECS consultants are also active members of MST. The main purpose of RECS is to ensure optimal clinical management is provided to envenomed patients in Malaysia.
RECS identified poor knowledge and understanding about the appropriate snakebite management among many healthcare providers at all treatment levels/specialities. This has indirectly resulted in poor confidence in managing snakebite envenoming and suboptimal treatment outcome. To make matters worse, the references (e.g. handbooks / protocols / textbooks etc) used by medical students, pharmacists and healthcare providers contain serious fundamental errors and outdated or inappropriate practices for managing snakebite envenoming in Malaysia. Acknowledging this very serious issue, RECS has designed and conducted an intermediate level educational program for specifically for healthcare providers called Snakebite Envenoming Management (SEM). SEM has its roots as pre-conference workshop during the Biennial Scientific Meeting of the Post Graduate Medical Education Society (PGMES), Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah in 2010. Ever since its formative stages, SEM has encourage sharing of knowledge and experience among its participants. It provided a conducive platform for adult learning to take place. This open, friendly, interactive and guided approach in presenting/sharing current information and discussing related issues has helped participants to better understand and raise confidence about the appropriate and optimal treatment for snakebite envenoming patients.
SEM General Objective
To increase the knowledge and confidence level of healthcare providers in managing snakebite envenoming and provide appropriate management for optimal outcome.
SEM Specific Objectives
To introduce the snakes of medical significance and their primary venom effects
To introduce the appropriate snake bite first aid practices in the prehospital and hospital setting
To introduce the appropriate clinical management and antivenom for snake bite envenoming in Malaysia
To introduce the appropriate and relevant snakebite management guidelines
To increase the awareness on the services provided by RECS@MST
To increase the awareness on the services provided by RECS@MST
SEM is a one-day workshop/seminar and is popular among healthcare providers. It is conducted several times a year based on the request of various organisations and institutions. If you are interested to organise SEM, please contact our RECS Program Manager:
recs.program@gmail.com