First ever SAFE OR training program conducted at UoJ- Surgical Dept

 

During the SAFE OR training program offered by a team of foreign medical professionals led by Prof Vivien Lees,  Vice President of Royal College of Surgeons, England. 

 

For the first time in the history of Surgery Department of University of Jaffna,  a comprehensive SAFE OR (operating room) course providing  advanced surgical and trauma handling skills offered by foreign medical professionals was conducted last week. 

The course of this kind was being conducted for the first time not only in University of Jaffna but in the island as well. 

The SAFE OR course was developed over the past decade in collaboration between various international medical organisations. The purpose was to create a course that would help surgeons, obstetricians, anaesthetists and nurses working in the operating rooms to improve the standards of patient safety. This is by helping improve teamwork, communication, dealing with emergencies in the OR, proper implementation of the WHO surgery safety checklist etc. 

A team of seven that included a surgeon, obstetrician, anaesthetists, nurses and program coordinator arrived in Jaffna from England on the September 6. The team was led by Prof.Vivien Lees , the Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons England.

A half day training program was held on the first day for eleven consultant doctors and senior nurses who will in the future conduct these courses in Jaffna. On the following two days the SAFE OR course itself was carried out for thirty-twoparticipants that included trainee surgeons, anaesthetists and obstetrician as well as OR nurses and midwives. 

This course is different as it includes doctors and nurses undergoing training together. The course was conducted in the recently built Clinical Training and Research Building of the medical faculty.

The Department of Surgery of the Jaffna Medical Faculty has over the years been working hard towards not just improving education and training for medical students but also for trainee surgeons and other healthcare professionals. This has been to help improve the quality of care that patients will receive not just in our region but across the country.

Since 2018 international courses have been established by the surgery department, such as the American College of Surgeons trauma course for medical students and the Royal College of Surgeons England courses in Basic Surgical Skills and Laparoscopy. The Jaffna Medical Faculty is the only one in the country providing these courses.

In many countries where hierarchical systems are strong, not all voices in the operating room are treated equally. This course tries to overcome that problem by empowering and giving confidence to all those who work in the operating rooms so that the patient is always the number one priority.

The visiting team ensured that the course was highly interactive and fun. This was through formal lectures but more importantly through role play, scenario demonstrations and small group discussions which encouraged greater participation and involvement. 

At the end it was obvious that it had made an impact on participants and made them more aware and also encouraged them to improve existing practices for the betterment of patients.  The course concluded with the issuing of certificates to the participants and mementos of appreciation to the visiting team members.

The visitors were highly impressed during their stay in Jaffna with the facilities, the interaction with participants and organisers and the warm hospitality shown to them. 

A few of them will return in March to conduct a second course after which the local staff will continue to conduct the course independently. The course was very ably coordinated by Dr.N.Bavani with tremendous help from others in the surgery department. Future courses will encourage the participation of doctors and nurses from the region and the country so that patient safety and standards in our operating rooms will improve even further.

Many challenges exist in trying to provide the best of care in the country’s healthcare institutions. By pursuing excellence through improved training and practice, the interests of patients will continue to improve. (DCA)