TCI Hospital awarded Go Clear Award for surgical smoke-free operating threatres

InterHealth Canada - Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital has earned the Go Clear Award™ - Gold Level for its achievement in the elimination of hazardous smoke during surgical procedures.

The Go Clear Award is presented by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) to recognize health care facilities that have committed to practices that eliminate smoke caused by the use of lasers and electrosurgery devices during surgery. Gold level is the highest rank achievable under the program.

The AORN is the leader in advocating for excellence in perioperative practice and healthcare. The hospital submitted one-year of data as evidence that the comprehensive requirements established by the AORN related to smoke evacuation were met. Since inception, the operating theatres have been equipped with the medical devices and resources necessary to evacuate surgical smoke during all smoke-generating procedures.

Surgical smoke is the unwanted by-product of energygenerating devices that are used in 90% of all surgeries. Its contents include toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, viruses, bacteria, blood and cancer cells.

Inhalation and absorption of surgical smoke pose serious health risks to patients and surgical staff. Studies compare the inhalation of smoke from vaporized human tissue to the smoke created by cigarettes; the average daily impact of surgical smoke to the surgical team is equivalent to inhaling 27-30 unfiltered cigarettes.

According to the Association of Perioperative Nurses (AORN), the need to evacuate and appropriately filter surgical smoke is being recognized around the world as countries move to provide a safer environment for both perioperative personnel and patients. More than 500 surgical teams worldwide have adopted the program.

Chief of Clinical Services at TCI Hospital, Mikette Been stated: “The receipt of the Go Clear Award supports our commitment to protect patients and healthcare workers through the use of best practices that eliminate the presence of harmful surgical smoke. I wish to congratulate the multidisciplinary team for their hard work on this project. ”

Commenting on the award, Surgical Services Manager at TCI Hospital, Pheona Brown-Watson stated: “The Turks and Caicos Islands is the first country in the Caribbean to receive this award level. This achievement is an indication of our continuous commitment to the health and safety of our staff and our patients. As a teaching hospital, we are building a strong foundation to sustain quality patient care. ”

Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa delivered nearly a dozen pizzas for each department at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on the initiative's first day. InterHealth Canada purchased additional pizzas for the Cockburn Town Medical Centre to mark the occasion.

The second corporate partner to demonstrate appreciation to health care workers was Graceway IGA that delivered large fresh fruit baskets for every department at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Thursday, March 4th, 2021. Edith Cox, Group Vice President of Graceway IGA, and Tamell Seymour, Graceway Smart Store Manager, distributed the surprise items.

Inpatients on the General Ward at the Cockburn Town Medical Centre in Grand Turk received gift baskets stuffed with self-care items and food products as a bonus. Each employee at the medical centre also received a $10.00 gift certificate, courtesy of Graceway IGA.

P H A R M A C Y T E A M W I T H A M A N Y A R A D O N A T I O N

Gilley's Enterprise was the next company that gave back to nearly 300 employees of the health care facility on Thursday, March 11th, 2021. Every employee received a wrapped combo of its famous cake and Fiji water as a palette cleanser.

On Thursday, March 18th, 2021, Amanyara Resort delivered platters of assorted danish pastries and cake to departments across the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and Cockburn Town Medical Centre. Staff were grateful for the surprise. This was the 4th company to give back to health care workers on “Thankful Thursday” . TCI Government Ministry of Health Primary health care partners that operate within the hospital buildings were also included in the distribution. The goodies were freshly baked, mouthwatering and irresistible even if you didn’t have a weakness for sweetness.

Health care workers have been working passionately and tirelessly to deliver services amid the pandemic. During 'ThankfulThursday, ' staff are encouraged to show appreciation for their teams, encourage patients to live with gratitude amid their illness, and write down two things they are thankful for.

The hospital has expressed tremendous gratitude to the companies that have supported the occasion thus far with acts and words of kindness.

Chief Executive Officer at TCI Hospital, Dr. Denise BraithwaiteTennant stated: "A heartfelt thanks to all of the private companies that have given so freely of their time and resources to encourage and recognize our team's hard work and dedication. Representatives of the various companies have toured the hospital to thank employees for their service personally, and this level of support is invaluable. While this has undoubtedly been a challenging period, we need to remain positive and live with gratitude even in the face of adversity. Thankfulness is contagious, and it is hoped "Thankful Thursday" reminds us all to take a deep breath, live with gratitude and focus on the positives and give encouragement to each other, patients, families, and friends. "

M E M B E R S O F T H E M I N I S T R Y O F H E A L T H P R I M A R Y H E A L T H C A R E D E P A R T M E N T A L S O R E C E I V E D P A S T R Y P L A T T E R S