Bausch & Lomb Launches Instrument CE Programs

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  Nursing / Midwifery;  IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 03 Apr 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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Bausch & Lomb Storz® Ophthalmic Instruments recently launched two new continuing education programs available at http://www.StorzOphthalmicCE.com. Through this site participants will have the opportunity to engage in self-directed continuing education programs and receive contact hours approved by the Texas Nurses Association, the Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution, Inc (CBSPD), and the International Association for Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM).

Each of the available programs offer benefits to various staff members within the ophthalmic surgical setting. Nurses are able to expand their knowledge of surgical instruments as well as increase their understanding of proper care and handling procedures.

"These programs are valuable self-study activities for nurses learning to identify, use, and care for surgical instruments. They are also excellent resources for perioperative nurses to use in preparing orientation, in-service, and competency verification materials," said Terri Goodman, PhD, RN, consultant for Terri Goodman & Associates of Dallas, TX.

In addition, central sterile and materials management staff will benefit from an understanding of the necessary care techniques and procedures unique to microsurgical instrumentation, allowing thorough cleaning and careful handling that will result in longer lasting instruments that provide safety for the patient.

According to Chuck Hess, senior director of Marketing and Sales for surgical instruments at Bausch & Lomb, "These programs can be used to equip ophthalmic surgical staff with an appreciation of the delicate nature of microsurgical instrumentation as well as the knowledge needed to extend the life of their instrument sets. Staff members will be encouraged to take ownership in their role of providing instrumentation that is long-lasting and in optimal working condition, ultimately providing more positive surgical outcomes for the patient and better use of expense budgets for the facility."

The Effective Management of Surgical Instruments program is designed to teach the participant the steps necessary to properly maintain surgical instrumentation including cleaning, lubrication, sterilization preparation, sterile processing, and storage. In addition, the participant will complete the program with knowledge of several problem solving techniques as well as special handling requirements for microsurgical instrumentation including vitreoretinal instruments and diamond knives.

Utilization of Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments is the second available program. Those participating in this program will gain an understanding of ophthalmic surgical instrumentation, including knowledge of approaches used to name surgical instruments and identification of categories of ophthalmic instruments. In addition, the participant will be able to recognize characteristics that differentiate ophthalmic instruments of the same type and explain the characteristics of different materials used in production.

Bausch & Lomb
http://www.bausch.com