Trauma care systems in Saudi Arabia: an agenda for action

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a rapid population growth that along with improved socioeconomics has led many individuals to own a car or even a number of cars per family, resulting in a greater number of vehicles on the roads. The reduced focus on good public transportation systems and the dependence on cars for transportation have created a diversity of drivers who are unfamiliar with the local driving rules and lack the basic skills for safe driving. This is in addition to some young drivers who frequently violate traffic laws and tend to speed most of the time. This unplanned expansion in road traffic has resulted in more car accidents, injuries, disabilities, and deaths. Accompanying that is an increased socioeconomic burden, depletion of human resources, emotional and psychological stress on families, and a strain on healthcare facilities. If this continues without prompt intervention, it will lead to increased insurance premiums and may become unmanageable. To minimize this impact, a national or regional multidisciplinary trauma system has to be developed and implemented. A trauma system is a preplanned, comprehensive, and coordinated regional injury response network that includes all facilities with the capability to care for the injured. Essential components of the system include trauma prevention, prehospital care, hospital care, rehabilitation, system administration, trauma care education and training, trauma care evaluation and quality improvement, along with the participation of society. Research has documented a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality from trauma after the implementation of such systems, depending on their efficiency. The purpose of this review is to discuss the problem of road traffic accidents in this country and address the trauma care system as an effective solution.

Trauma patterns in patients attending the Emergency Department of Jazan General Hospital, Saudi Arabia

“…[5,9] In 2005, data obtained from traffi c sources of Saudi Arabia revealed that there were 283 684 RTAs, during which 5 883 people died. [10] Domestic accidents are worldwide public health problems. In some European countries, accidents at home kill more people than road accidents, in spite of strict safety regulations and laws regarding buildings and living areas.…”

Maxillofacial Injuries Due to Road Traffic Accidents in Saudi Arabia: A Review of Incidence, Demographic Factors & Prevention Strategies

“…[5] According to world report on road traffic injury prevention, about 3000 people worldwide die every day from road traffic injuries. [9] Head and facial injuries account for 30% of all injuries and cause 26% of deaths.…”

Maxillofacial Injuries Due to Road Traffic Accidents in Saudi Arabia: A Review of Incidence, Demographic Factors & Prevention Strategies

“…Most of them are in the age group of 1-25 years. [1,5,20,21,22,23,24] Reasons for higher incidence in this age group have been cited earlier in this review which includes road rage, jumping signals, over confidence, use of mobile phones while driving. Most of the literature concludes with the fact that the incidence of road traffic accidents is comparatively more in males than in females.…”

“…Studies conducted in Arab countries on the incidence of road traffic accidents suggest speed, violence of traffic laws as the major factor. [1,2,5,7,13,18,20,22] Since alcohol is strictly prohibited by law in Islamic countries, role of drunken driving is negligible or insignificant. Irrespective of the etiological factor, most of the road traffic accidents occur in younger age group.…”

“…The socioeconomic burden, depletion of human resources, the emotional and psychological stress on families, and the strain on healthcare facilities are also increasing. [5] The incidence and causes of road traffic accidents vary with geographical location, socioeconomic status, religion and era. [6] The incidence of traffic accidents is high in Saudi Arabia.…”