A state-of-the-art "training arm" donated to Oamaru Hospital this week will put patients and staff at ease.
The training arm will allow nurses and doctors at Oamaru Hospital to sharpen their skills on site by using the training tool that simulates a real arm for learning to take blood (venipuncture), and IV cannulation when patients have a cannula or tube inserted into the vein for medication and IV infusions.
The valuable piece of equipment was donated to the Oamaru Hospital by Rapid Relief Team New Zealand (RRTNZ), which approached the hospital last year to inquire about its equipment needs.
RRTNZ Oamaru team leader Nigel Holt said they were pumped to be able to donate the training equipment for the greater good of the community.
The training device cost $3000.
Waitaki District Health Services Ltd quality director Colleen Myers said they were absolutely thrilled to receive the equipment that will have a direct effect on staffing and enhance training.
"This specialised device will provide a big boost in more ways than one by enhancing our training capabilities and reducing the strain on our nursing and medical rosters," she said.
Until now, staff have had to travel to Dunedin for this training and now the hospital could provide it on site, she said.
Mrs Myers said two of the key things the arm would help staff with were competency and the quality of delivery.
The lifelike arm features realistic features including artificial blood with digital pressure to stem flow that would allow staff trainees to identify best needle
positions.
"There will be a knock-on calming effect, when you have staff who are more competent and confident, then we will have patients who are more at ease," she said.
Mrs Myers said the previous staff training and professional development co-ordinator Paul Brown had requested the tool be purchased, before he died suddenly in November last year.
Shelley Hollever, a registered nurse, took over the role in December.
Ms Hollever is in the process of revamping a skills lab at the hospital in which the training arm will be housed.
This will allow staff, including those who need to refresh their skills, to train.
