ORBIS - training nurses worldwide in ophthalmic care

AORN Journal, Oct, 1998 by Karen Watts, Helen Taylor, Kevin Taylor

The ORBIS training program is not strictly a one-way transfer of knowledge. The ORBIS nurses have several opportunities to enhance their own skills in addition to training local nurses. The ORBIS nurses

* participate on or chair CQI teams (eg, laser safety, infection control),

* are involved actively in the writing and revision of nursing policies,

* share responsibility for a portion of the medical inventory, and

* help develop and implement both patient and local nurse education objectives. In the absence of the nurse educator, an ORBIS staff nurse also presents off-the-plane lectures. The ORBIS environment is small, and all departments are able to interact closely. Additional learning opportunities exist for ORBIS nurses by attending the weekly lectures given by visiting ophthalmic professors to the local ophthalmologists or by attending anesthesia department lectures.

NURSING AND THE ROLE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

An often overlooked aspect of nurse training in developing--and even in developed--countries is nurses' appreciation of the role of medical technology and its effect on patient care. In many developing countries, there are no biomedical engineers or technicians to service equipment. Consequently, servicing falls into the responsibility of the user--if users do not maintain or service the equipment, it will fall into disrepair far more quickly than necessary.

A good portion of most equipment problems can be corrected through proper user training and user maintenance (Figure 8). Nurses work with medical equipment more consistently than any other medical professional and have a better understanding of what is normal equipment performance. If nurses gain a basic understanding of the technology and the proper training to know what to expect from the equipment, they can be an integral part of expanding the life of what are scarce medical devices.

[Figure 8 ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

By understanding the technology, nurses often can solve problems that are minor at the onset but could become significant if left unattended. Dust, fungus, heat, and an unreliable power supply are environmental realities in developing countries and can wreak havoc on medical equipment. If local nurses have a simple understanding of the technology, they can watch for and correct environmental problems before they become disastrous.

SUMMARY

The relationship between the ORBIS nursing and biomedical engineering departments is multifaceted. It demonstrates how much can be achieved when staff members interact and help each other in promoting education as a means for preventing blindness. The training of nurses is one of the most significant avenues for achieving a sustainable change in the health care system of developing countries. The ORBIS nurses recognize this and are committed to providing the most effective and appropriate training possible in ophthalmology and the prevention of blindness.

Karen Watts, RN, is the head nurse for ORBIS International, New York.

Helen Taylor, RN, MRCNA, is a level one RN, cardiac theatres, at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania. At the time this article was written, she was the nurse educator for ORBIS International, New York.