Monday 19 October 2015

11th Update Course in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery for operating room nurses

11th Update Course in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery for operating room nurses

As in previous years, the Spanish Traumatology and Orthopaedic Nursing Association AEETO (Asociación Española de Enfermería en Traumatología y Ortopedia) has organised the 11th Update Course for scrub nurses in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery. It will be from 21st to 23rd of October 2015 in Clínica Cemtro.

The technology in the Operating Room of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery changes and advances quickly. This requires updating in theorical and practical knowledge.
Even nursing staff with extensive experience in the surgical area of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, need to update their knowledge and skills.

This course seeks to present techniques, implants and skills that are increasingly being imposed in our operating rooms.  This course covers the high demand for training in Operating Room Nursing.

During this course the participants will be able to learn about:
  •        Kyphoplasty
  •        Limb replantation
  •       Custom prosthesis (hip and knee)
  •    Chondrocyte culture
  •        Knee prosthesis with navigator


The Spanish Traumatology and Orthopaedic Nursing Association AEETO looks to update knowledge among professionals with its continuing education program.




Elena Miguel Poza - Nurse, nursing coordinator & trainer - Enfermera coordinadora y profesora de enfermería - IMTRA Instituto Madrileño de Traumatologia (Madrid Spain)
Tel: (0034) 915545405 Email: elena@imtra.es Web site in English: http://www.imtra.eu Web site in Spanish: www.imtra.biz

Saturday 26 September 2015

Knee arthroscopy: positioning and draping

Knee arthroscopy: positioning and draping

In knee arthroscopy (often referred to as a type of keyhole surgery), the surgeon needs the patient to be placed in a very specific way. The patient is positioned supine (face up) on the table. The injured knee must be in a leg holder and the foot of the table is lowered. The leg holder is placed around the thigh, allowing the surgeon to move the leg to valgus and varus (from one side to another) during the intervention. 



The patient´s extremity has to be prepared and draped. Draping involves using impervious stockinet and a standard knee arthroscopy drape with a waterproof surface and a fluid pouch.  



The surgeon needs an inflow fluid system to expand the knee, which makes it easier for the surgeon to see inside the joint. Therefore the sheath of the arthroscope has an inflow (for the fluid) and an outflow (for the suction).


The surgeon accesses the knee joint through two small incisions.  By the anterolateral portal, the surgeon introduces the arthroscope into the knee joint and begins the inspection of the joint.  The arthrocope is connected to a camera to allow the image to be viewed by the medical team (and the patient) on flat screen TV monitors. Through the other incision, the surgeon introduces specific instruments: probe hook, graspers, cutting grasper, motorised shaver, etc.





Dr. Enrique Galindo Andújar does this type of surgery with local anesthetic (only anesthetizing the knee) in several private Hospitals in Madrid, ensuring the best possible patient care with latest optimum conditions to achieve successful knee surgery. 

Elena Miguel Poza - Nurse, nursing coordinator & trainer - Enfermera coordinadora y profesora de enfermería - IMTRA Instituto Madrileño de Traumatologia (Madrid Spain)
Tel: (0034) 915545405 Email: elena@imtra.es Web site in English: http://www.imtra.eu Web site in Spanish: www.imtra.biz

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Summer is to enjoy, but take care!

Summer is to enjoy, but take care!

In summer, we have more free time. We can spend more time outside and we can share more time with our family and friends.

We change our place of residence and activities. This is very nice but we have to take a number of precautions about:
a) Sun exposure with caution:
·      Sunscreen creams,
·      Hats,
·      Summer clothes,
·      Sunglasses,
·      Choice of appropriate time for exercise etc.

b) Drink plenty of liquids:
·      Water is the best,
·      Not too many sweet drinks,
·      Natural drinks are better, etc.

c) Sport in summer:
·      Gradual increase in levels of physical activity,
·      Muscle warming before physical activity,
·      Muscle stretching after physical activity,
·      Appropriate equipment, footwear, etc.

d) A balanced diet:
·      A variety of healthy foods,
·      Food handling care (washed vegetables and fruit)

e) Proper use of clothing and footwear depending on the situation: beach, mountain, sea, city, etc.


Summer is fun, but be careful!



Elena Miguel Poza - Nurse, nursing coordinator & trainer - Enfermera coordinadora y profesora de enfermería - IMTRA Instituto Madrileño de Traumatologia (Madrid Spain)
Tel: (0034) 915545405 Email: elena@imtra.es Web site in English: http://www.imtra.eu Web site in Spanish: www.imtra.biz

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Professional Competences of Nursing in Spain

Professional Competences of Nursing in Spain

Valuing the work of Spanish nursing, we can ask:
·      Can any nursing professional work in any area?
·      Is the nursing performance evaluated?
·      Is the professional development and training of the nurses recognised?

Is professional competence recognised?

At this point, it is essential to define the word “Competence”. It is the combination of necessary:
  1.     Knowledge, 
  2.     Skills, 
  3.     Capacity, 
  4.     Attitude, and 
  5.      Motivation

for successful occupation of a role or a particular job (Lyle M Spencer y Signe M Spencer 1993).

In Spain, the competence development is a right and an obligation of the nursing professionals. There are several laws that establish the obligation to prove the competence in the nursing work:
  •       Ley Ordenación Profesiones Sanitarias 44/2003: Titulo I. Del ejercicio de las profesiones sanitarias. Artículo 4.6:
  •        Ley 16/2003, de 28 de mayo, de cohesión y calidad del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Artículo 40 y Articulo 42. Desarrollo profesional.


It is essential the development of knowledge and skills through the Continuing Accredited Education.

Nursing is a profession in constant change and requires constant updating. It is necessary to:

       Promote the training of Nursing;
       Develop nursing skills;
       Define standards of clinical practice; and
       Minimize the variability in nursing practice and its adverse effects.





Elena Miguel Poza - Nurse, nursing coordinator & trainer - Enfermera coordinadora y profesora de enfermería - IMTRA Instituto Madrileño de Traumatologia (Madrid Spain)
Tel: (0034) 915545405 Email: elena@imtra.es Web site in English: http://www.imtra.eu Web site in Spanish: www.imtra.biz