TRAINING ON THEATRE MANAGEMENT AND BECOMING A BETTER PERI-OPERATIVE NURSE

Theatre and labour ward nurses at David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu have been trained on infection prevention and control in an operating theatre which is of outmost importance, and involves strict adherence to specific protocol for both the patients and the surgeon.

This was the focus of day 1 of a two-day training organized at the hospital.

The resource Person, Ezinne Ezeani said it was essential to employ proper sterilization and disinfection techniques, practice hand hygiene, proper use of protective clothing as well as preparing the environment before any procedure takes place.

According to her, the objective of the training was to reduce microbial count on the skin to as near zero level as possible, remove dirt, and to also control and reduce the possibility of cross infection of the surgical patients and personnel in the operating room.

She emphasized that the basic requirements to function optimally as a Perioperative Nurse were an operating room wall clock, deep and wide sink to prevent splash, running tap water, and bowel for used brush equipment.

She also added that all items should be checked for proper use to make the operation successful.

Mrs Ezeani demonstrated the practical aspect to the Nurses including how to wash their hands properly, mop their hands and also how to pick the gown at the neck and avoid shaking the gown, and unfold the neck with the ankle of your hand.

She also educated the Nurses on the two methods of gloving, namely open gloving method and closed gloving method, saying that the closed method waa the most sterile one, free from contacting germs.

The training equally reviewed the steps that are involved in hand washing before going inside the theatre which is rubbing the palms together, and rubbing both wrists in a rotating manner, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Perioperative Nursing is a nursing specialty that works with patients who are having operative or other invasive procedures.

ALSO READ: How to Mind Your Own Business in a Relationship: 5 TipsD