Developing an eye care program in an underserved community

Sign up for this workshop when you arrive at the conference registration desk. Space is limitedThe skills of wound management and suturing are frequently needed by medical and nursing professionals in mission settings. Often there is not a surgeon available, and the next most qualified person to take care of the patient may be you. Accurate suturing skills are an important part of acute wound management which can be performed well with a little training in careful technique. This workshop is a practical hands-on approach to suturing for non-surgeons. We will walk you step by step through closure of a wound by using a pig's foot in place of the patient. Basic, easy to use, but reliable techniques of suturing will be introduced or reviewed. This session will include a demonstration and practice of: • the basics of wound healing and closure• guidelines for choosing the correct suture and needle • correct knot tying methods ( for right or left handed persons)• wound closure with a variety of suturing techniques • common pitfalls • practical tips on improving your technique. Space will be limited to medical, nursing professionals, or students in these professions. Sign up early. Please review the attached PowerPoint presentation before you attend the session.

Many Non-Surgeons are called upon to manage trauma or minor surgical procedures in the ER or clinic. This is particularly true in the developing world. Accurate suturing skills are an important part of wound closure and management which can be performed very well with a little training in good technique. This session will include a discussion of:• the basics of wound healing• correct knot tying methods• wound closure with a variety of Suturing techniques• common pitfalls• practical tips on improving your technique• guidelines for choosing the correct suture and needle