Improvements in Orthopedics and Infection Control Practices

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by Elena Chuprun

Donetsk Regional Hospital is the leading education and research center training students from Donetsk Medical University, Donetsk Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, and Donetsk Medical College. It also offers post-graduate education for nurses. This year, 15 students of the medical college and 24 students of the medical institute completed their practicums at the hospital.

Curriculum and practice reforms in the following specialties have been completed: surgical nurse, ward nurse, and head nurse. In 1996, a total of eighteen nurses improved their qualifications.

In July 1996, our delegation visited Orlando, Florida, where the nurses were introduced to a regional health care system consisting of six hospitals. As a result, we were able to establish contact with members of the medical staff of three hospitals, enhance infection control practices in surgery and throughout the hospital wards, and update our skills in medical equipment sterilization and processing of instruments. Our nurses also learned about pre- and post-operative management of orthopedic patients. As a result of the partnership, we have seen an increase in ambulation pre- and post-surgery. The information gathered during this trip and from conferences has been disseminated to nurses throughout our hospital and has improved our practical work.

We continue to work on our infection control program, with emphasis on evaluation of infection control practice, data collation and analysis. Together with the partners, we plan to improve the medical qualifications of hospital staff, resulting in a reduction of the risk of infection for both staff and patients. We anticipate an increase in the role of the nurse in post-operative treatment and infection control.

Elena Chuprun is Head Nurse at Donetsk Oblast Hospital,
Donetsk, Ukraine
tel: 38 (0622) 55 35 41
fax: 38 (0622) 55 11 41

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