Description
In this presentation, Kavitha Nadarajah-Gbeve discusses the innovative Operating Room Assistant (ORA) program initiated in Manitoba to address the critical shortage of qualified nursing staff in operating rooms. Kavitha, a nursing professional with a vast background in adult surgical care, outlines her educational credentials and professional roles while emphasizing her contributions as the surgery program educator at Grace Hospital, Winnipeg.
Her talk focuses on the challenges posed by nursing shortages, especially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant surgical backlogs. The ORA program was designed to provide essential support in the operating room by training individuals who have completed a comprehensive healthcare aide course and meet specific criteria, including experience in acute care settings.
The program consists of a 10-week online training course paired with in-person lab sessions and a clinical practicum, intended to equip new assistants with vital skills and knowledge in surgical procedures, including anatomy, sterilization techniques, and the handling of surgical instruments. Kavitha emphasizes the importance of adhering to the standards set by the Orthopedic Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) and outlines the responsibilities of ORAs, which involve direct support to surgical teams, patient positioning, and maintaining a sterile environment.
Kavitha also shares the program's current success and future goals, with an expectation of training around 70 ORAs by the end of the year to continue improving surgical service delivery. Overall, her presentation highlights a proactive approach to tackling nursing shortages and enhancing patient care within surgical environments.