Nurses call for safety on roads this summer

Last summer, The Alfred recorded a 45 percent increase in trauma presentations from motorbike accidents compared to the previous year, making up about a quarter of the hospital’s road trauma admissions.

Due to the nature of the role, nurses are often the most consistent point of contact between patients, their families and loved ones and the hospital.

“We see what patients and families go through up close and moment-to-moment,” Trauma Nurse Sue Smith said.

“The festive season is already an emotionally heightened time, which makes it all the more shocking when tragedy strikes on the road.

“In a split second, what is usually a happy time can be tainted for families and the people affected for years to come.”

Patients admitted to The Alfred’s trauma unit often present with multiple, complex injuries, such as fractures to the head, spine, and neck; damage to ribs and internal organs; pelvic fractures; severe whiplash; and concussion.

“Not many people realise but it takes a large team of clinicians to save just one person’s life after a bad crash,” Sue said.

“After which, they might be taken to intensive care, or into our trauma wards.”

According to TAC, motorbike riders accounted for 17 per cent of serious injuries and 20 per cent of deaths on Victorian roads over the past five years.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Amal Fernando works in The Alfred’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) caring for critically ill trauma patients. He has seen firsthand the way speeding can exacerbate injuries from road accidents.

“The faster you go, the more likely you are to sustain life-altering injuries, like damage to the spinal cord or a traumatic brain injury,” Amal said.

“That's on top of things like bone fractures elsewhere in the body.”

He said the risk of traumatic brain injury increases dramatically if the rider isn’t wearing a helmet.

“A severe head knock can cause swelling of the brain,” Amal said.

“When that happens, patients usually have surgery to remove the bone on their skull, which gives the brain space to swell and eventually settle back down.

“We monitor them very closely in the ICU after they have these procedures to ensure their best chance at recovery, but it’s not easy on them or their families.”

At the other end of the spectrum, Nurse Practitioner Lisa Braithwaite works in the minor injury and illness area of The Alfred’s emergency department.

“Minor usually refers to a single, isolated injury, which is clinically more straightforward to assess and treat than a multi-trauma,” Lisa said.

Lisa said the motorbike injuries she sees are similar to injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters.

“We see head injuries including concussion, facial injuries and lacerations, especially if the person wasn’t wearing a helmet,” Lisa said.

“There’s also wrist and elbow injuries, chest and abdominal injuries from colliding with handlebars and lower leg fractures.

“While they aren’t necessarily life-threatening, a broken lower leg feels anything but minor – and it’s not a fun way to spend the holidays.”

Amal said his experiences working with trauma patients has led him to keep a close eye on his motorbike-loving brother.

“I’m always annoying him saying, ‘Stick to the speed limit! Wear a helmet, because I don’t want to see you at work!’,” Amal said.

“And now I’m prepared to annoy the public too.

“Stay safe on the road, everyone - I don’t want to see you at work either!”